DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST 
IN  TEXAS 

CHALMERS  MCPHERSON 


BXT3H 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/disciplesofchrisOOmcph 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST 
IN  TEXAS 


A  partial  history  of  Disciples  of  Christ  in  Texas 
during  the  past  forty-one  years,  together  with 
personal  remembrances  of  both  the  living  and 
the  dead,  addresses,  forms,  etc. 


BY 

CHALMERS^McPHERSON 

Brite  College  of  the  Bible        Texas  Christian  University 
FORT  WORTH,  TEXAS 


CINCINNATI,  O. 

THE  STANDARD  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 


Copyright,  1920, 
The  Standard  Publishing  Company 


DEDICATION 


TO  one  who  has  patiently  borne  with  my  peculiarities, 
overlooked  my  foibles,  smoothed  many  of  the  wrinkles 
from  my  being;  who  has  been  suggestion  to  my  mind, 
nerve  to  my  heart,  muscle  to  my  soul;  who  has  brought 
sunshine  when  days  were  dark,  was  an  anchor  when 
storms  were  raging,  a  hand  pointing  forward  when  the 
way  was  rough, 

TO  MY  WIFE 
This  volume  it  dedicated  in  love. 


A  REQUEST 

I CRAVE  the  indulgence  of  those  who  read  these 
pages,  that  you  be  charitable  when  you  see  what 
you  consider  too  frequent  references  to  myself.  Having 
been  identified  with  the  work  of  our  people  in  Texas 
for  more  than  forty  years,  I  could  not  altogether  elimi- 
nate the  offensive  pronoun.  I  shall  appreciate  your 
kind  indulgence.  CHALMERS  MCPHERSON. 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 


Introduction,  L.  D.  Anderson   7 

Forty-one  Years  Ago   15 

Organizing  the  Work. 

Some  Beginnings  v   35 

Texas  Missions  Enlarging,  J.  B.  Holmes...  55 

Texas  Bible-school  Work,  S.  W.  Hutton   64 

The  C.  W.  B.  M.  in  Texas,  Mrs.  G.  D. 
Smith    _   71 

Educational. 

Texas  Christian  Ui  iversity,  E.  M.  Waits   77 

Brite  College  of  the  Bible,  Colby  D.  Hall...  90 

Carlton  College,  The  Carltons  101 

Midland  College,  J.  T.  McKissick  108 


Carr-Burdette  College,  Cephas  Shelbnrne...ll6 
The  Texas  Bible  Chair,  Frank  L.  Jewett...l24 

Jarvis  Christian  Institute,  J.  N.  Ervin  129 

Tithing  Among  Texas  Disciples,  Arthur 


A.  Everts    139 

Texas  Christian  Lectureship  145 

Benevolences. 

The  Juliette  Fowler  Homes,   M.  Boyd 

Keith   151 

5 


CONTENTS 


Our  Remembered  Dead. 

Preachers  of  Older  Class  in  1879  (Ten)  161 

Younger  Men  Here  in  1879  (Sixteen)  170 

Preachers  Who  Began  Here  After  1879 

(Fifty -nine  Arranged  Alphabetically)  187 

Those   Slightly   Known   to   the  Author 

(Fifty-two)  222 

Four  Living  Preachers  229 

A  Few  Women  (Twenty)  233 

Our  Contributors  (Thirteen)  247 

The  Company  Unnamed  255 

Studies. 

Buried  with  Christ  (a  study)  259 

A  Search  for  "Our  Plea"  268 

Worth-while  Gleanings  (Twenty-two)  279 

Rhymes. 

To  the  End  of  Your  Row  291 

Keep  Going  291 

Forms. 

Ordination  of  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  295 

Ordination  of  Elders,  Deacons,  Deacon- 
esses  299 

Dedication  of  House  of  Worship  306 

Dedication    of    Building   for  Christian 

Education   308 

Laying  Corner-stone  of  Church  Building...311 

Charles  W.  Gibson  317 

6 


INTRODUCTION 


NO  history  of  the  Disciples  of  Christ  in 
Texas,  however  brief,  would  be  complete 
without  some  reference  to  the  life  and  work  of 
Chalmers  McPherson,  a  man  who,  for  more 
than  forty  years,  has  occupied  a  place  of  honor 
among  the  leaders  in  the  church,  and  by  his 
unswerving  integrity,  untiring  service  and  un- 
sullied honor  has  contributed  much  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  her  interests.  Not  only  individu- 
als, but  families  and  communities,  find  life 
sweeter,  richer  and  happier  because  of  him. 
His  friends  are  legion,  and  he  "hath  been  a 
succorer  of  many." 

Chalmers  McPherson  was  born  at  Thorold, 
Ontario,  Canada,  about  seven  miles  from  Niag- 
ara Falls,  on  the  20th  day  of  January,  1850. 
His  father  came  from  Scotland,  his  mother 
from  England,  to  make  their  home  in  the  New 
World.  They  were  pioneers  who  helped  in  the 
transformation  of  the  continent. 

That  home,  so  full  of  happiness  and  hope, 
was  sorely  stricken  by  the  death  of  the  husband 
and  father  when  the  lad  was  in  his  fifth  year. 
Soon  after  this  bereavement,  the  mother,  ac- 
7 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


companied  by  her  two  children,  went  to  Ken- 
tucky to  teach.  It  was  here  that  the  children 
were  reared.  During  the  years  of  the  war  be- 
tween the  States  the  mother's  responsibilities 
were  multiplied,  and  her  burdens  greatly  in- 
creased. Being  upon  the  border  between  the 
North  and  the  South,  she  was  called  upon  to 
endure  unusual  hardships,  and  to  face  the 
gravest  dangers.  But  her  heroism  was  equal 
to  the  need.  Her  task,  though  hard,  was  nobly 
done. 

The  education  of  the  boy  naturally  began, 
and  for  some  years  was  carried  forward,  in 
his  mother's  school.  Later  he  attended  George- 
town College  in  Kentucky,  Asbury  (now 
DePauw)  University  in  Indiana,  and  East- 
man's Commercial  College  in  New  York.  His 
mother  encouraged,  and  to  the  utmost  of  her 
ability  helped  him  to  utilize  every  available 
opportunity  for  self-improvement.  Like  many 
another,  destined  for  large  power  and  excep- 
tional service,  this  youth  obtained  valuable 
discipline  by  "working  his  way  through 
school."  Even  in  those  early  days  it  was 
recognized  that  his  was  a  mind  of  rare  quality. 

When  about  the  age  of  twenty  he  started 
"West,"  with  a  companion,  "to  get  rich." 
He  was  the  proud  possessor  of  thirty  dollars. 
His  associate  contributed  ten  dollars  toward 
their  venture.  Their  combined  capital  was  soon 
8 


INTRODUCTION 


exhausted,  and  the  young  men  left  St.  Louis 
on  foot,  still  journeying  westward.  They 
walked  110  miles.  They  soon  determined  to 
accept  the  first  employment  obtainable.  They 
were  rewarded  by  an  offer  of  twenty  dollars 
per  month  each,  with  board  furnished,  by  a 
firm  of  farmers  and  traders,  Messrs.  McCracken 
and  Smith,  who  lived  on  the  "Three  Mile 
Prairie,"  in  Calloway  County,  Missouri.  The 
companion  tired  of  the  work  after  a  couple 
of  weeks,  and  departed ;  but  Brother  McPherson 
stuck  to  the  task  for  a  full  year.  His  em- 
ployers sought  to  continue  his  services  for 
another  year,  but  he  decided  to  return  to  Ken- 
tucky— Mount  Vernon — and  teach  school. 

Soon  after  returning  to  Kentucky,  in  Mount 
Vernon  and  Campbellsville,  he  read  law,  and 
in  the  latter  place  was  examined  in  open  court 
and  received  license  to  practice  in  the  courts 
of  that  State.  He  settled  in  Burksville,  and 
devoted  himself  to  the  practice  of  law  for 
about  four  years.  With  high  ideals,  careful 
preparation  and  indomitable  energy  he  began 
what  gave  promise  of  becoming  a  remarkably 
successful  career  in  his  chosen  calling.  His 
friends  entertained  hopes,  and  no  doubt  the 
young  lawyer  himself  dreamed  dreams,  of  po- 
litical preferment  and  patriotic  service. 

He  had  become  a  Christian  while  in  Mount 
Vernon.  The  man  under  whose  preaching  he 
9 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


obeyed  the  gospel  was  Henry  Tandy,  who 
"happened"  to  pass  through  the  town  one 
Sunday  afternoon,  an  utter  stranger.  A  local 
disciple  of  the  Lord,  having  learned  of  the 
preacher's  presence,  proceeded  to  ring  the 
courthouse  bell,  this  being  the  customary 
method  of  notifying  the  townspeople  that  a 
preacher  had  arrived  and  was  to  speak.  Mr. 
McPherson  did  not  attend  the  service,  but  on 
his  way  home  paused  by  the  door  and  heard 
the  closing  portion  of  the  sermon.  To  his 
amazement,  his  closest  young  man  friend  went 
forward  and  confessed  Jesus  the  Christ.  He 
was  very  deeply  moved.  During  that  night 
and  the  following  day  the  claims  of  God  were 
seriously  pondered.  Mr.  Tandy  remained  and 
preached  on  Monday  night,  at  which  time  Bro. 
McPherson  began  his  Christian  life. 

Brethren  began  to  suggest,  and  erelong 
to  persuade,  that  he  devote  his  life  to  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  For  a  time  he  re- 
mained undecided,  but  the  appeals  became 
more  numerous  and  insistent.  After  much 
serious  thought  and  fervent  prayer,  he  yielded. 
He  preached  his  first  sermon  in  his  home  town 
(Burksville)  in  June,  1877.  One  of  his  inti- 
mate friends  advised  him  to  "go  out  into  the 
country  and  preach  the  first  time";  but  he 
replied:  "No,  I  shall  preach  where  there  are 
friends  to  sympathize  with  me  if  I  make  a  com- 
10 


INTRODUCTION 


plete  failure."  Needless  to  say,  the  service 
was  a  success,  and  marked  the  beginning  of  an 
unusually  long  and  fruitful  ministry.  It  will 
be  evident  that  the  young  preacher  was  not 
influenced  by  the  hope  of  material  reward 
when  it  is  known  that  during  the  first  eighteen 
months  of  service  his  preaching  netted  him 
only  thirty  dollars.  This  income  was  supple- 
mented by  teaching  school  in  order  to  support 
himself  and  wife. 

On  April  20,  1875,  he  and  Miss  Ella 
Sheegog,  a  talented  and  attractive  young 
woman  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  who  was  teach* 
ing  piano  in  the  Burksville  School,  were  mar- 
ried. Mrs.  McPherson  has  proved  a  true  help- 
mate, and  is  justly  entitled  to  a  generous 
credit  for  the  marked  success  of  her  distin- 
guished husband.  Four  children  were  born 
of  this  union,  of  whom  the  two  younger,  Miss 
Hallie  and  Capt.  Albert  McPherson,  are  now 
living. 

In  January,  1879,  Brother  McPherson  and 
his  wife  came  to  Texas.  He  began  his  work 
in  the  State  in  Ellis  County.  His  first  sermon 
in  Texas  was  preached  at  Ennis.  His  first 
preaching-points  were  Ennis,  "Waxahachie, 
Houston  Creek  and  Union  Hill.  His  pastorate 
at  Waxahachie,  where  he  served  the  church  for 
twenty  years,  is  one  of  the  most  noteworthy 
among  our  people.  During  this  period  the  con- 
11 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


gregation  grew  in  numbers  and  grace,  keeping 
pace  with  the  rapid  development  of  the  city 
and  State. 

Though  pre-eminently  a  preacher,  Brother 
McPherson  has  not  restricted  his  service  to 
preaching.  Indeed,  some  of  his  most  important 
work  has  taken  other  forms.  He  has  been 
an  active  and  enthusiastic  factor  in  all  the 
general  enterprises  of  the  church.  He  was 
prominent  in  the  organization  and  direction  of 
our  State  missionary  work,  as  well  as  our  edu- 
cational and  benevolent  institutions.  For  three 
years  he  was  editor  of  the  Christian  Courier, 
which  service  he  rendered  with  credit  to  him- 
self and  profit  to  the  churches.  He  resigned 
this  important  post  only  when  his  physical 
condition  forbade  the  exhausting  labors  re- 
sulting from  a  combination  of  the  duties  of 
editor,  business  manager,  proof-reader,  adver- 
tising man  and  general  roustabout. 

Brother  McPherson  was  the  first  field  secre- 
tary for  Texas  Christian  University,  and  his 
labors  contributed  much  toward  placing  the 
institution  upon  the  secure  financial  basis  upon 
which  it  now  rests.  Subsequently  he  spent 
three  years  delivering  a  series  of  Bible  lectures, 
known  as  "Foundation  Stones,"  in  Texas, 
Oklahoma,  New  Mexico,  Tennessee,  Ohio  and 
Canada.  Through  these  messages  he  brought 
faith  to  many  who  had  been  troubled  by 
12 


INTRODUCTION 


doubts,  and  strengthened  the  faith  and  clarified 
the  vision  of  thousands. 

During  the  past  six  years  he  has  occupied 
the  chair  of  New  Testament  Christianity  of 
Brite  College  of  the  Bible  of  Texas  Christian 
University.  Here  he  wields  an  ever-increasing 
influence  over  that  growing  host  of  young  men 
and  young  women  who  are  fitting  themselves 
for  efficient  Christian  service.  His  intimate 
knowledge  of,  and  unquestioned  loyalty  to,  the 
Bible,  coupled  with  his  rich  practical  experi- 
ence, fit  him  admirably  for  the  important 
work.  Friends  of  the  church  hope  that  he  will 
be  spared  for  many  years  to  help  in  training 
the  young  people  who  are  to  be  leaders  to- 
morrow. L.  D.  Anderson. 


13 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


O-DAY  I  am  in  a  reminiscent  mood,  and 


1  those  who  do  not  enjoy  such  things  should 
turn  aside.  On  the  third  day  of  January,  1879, 
with  a  wife  and  baby  girl — the  latter  now  at 
home  with  her  Lord — I  stepped  from  a  train 
to  a  platform  in  Ennis,  Texas.  Snow  was 
falling  rapidly,  and  a  "norther"  was  blowing. 
I  had  left  a  temperature  of  eighteen  degrees 
below  zero  in  Kentucky,  and  remarked,  much  to 
the  disgust  of  those  who  met  me,  "The  weather 
has  moderated  considerably."  One  of  those  who 
greeted  me  was  Bro.  A.  J.  Soape,  now  in  Okla- 
homa. Some  months  afterwards  he  laughingly 
told  me  that,  being  curious  as  to  what  sort  of 
preacher  the  four  little  Ellis  County  churches 
had  contracted  with  for  a  year  without  so  much 
as  a  glimpse  of  him,  he  "sized  me  up"  for  the 
first  few  minutes,  and  then  said  to  himself, 
"We're  bit."  However,  he  treated  me  well, 
as  did  all  those  Texas  strangers,  and  our  work 
began.  My  first  sermons  in  Texas  were  given 
in  Ennis.  There  was  a  confession  at  the  eve- 
ning service.  Baptisteries  were,  in  those  days, 
unknown  here,  and  I  whispered  to  a  brother: 


15 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


"Where  can  we  announce  for  the  baptism?" 
His  reply  was,  "Mulhall's  Tank,"  which  was 
all  Chinese  to  me.  I  said  to  the  audience : 
"Brother  Soape  will  announce  the  place  of 
baptism."  In  our  room,  I  remarked  to  my 
wife  that  "a  tank"  was  a  most  ridiculous  place 
for  a  baptism,  adding  I  was  glad  the  candidate 
was  not  a  lady,  as  I  supposed  we  should  have 
to  climb  by  ladder  from  the  outside,  and  de- 
scend on  the  other  by  a  similar  route.  Imagine 
my  surprise  when  I  discovered  that  the  "tank" 
was  only  that  which  I  had  all  my  life  been 
familiar  with  as  a  "pond."  The  water  was 
covered  with  two  inches  of  ice,  which  was  cut 
for  my  first  baptism  in  the  sunny  South. 

My  four  preaching-points  were  Waxahachie. 
Ennis,  Houston  Creek  (near  what  is  now  Italy) 
and  Union  Hill.  To  ride  my  circuit  I  bought  a 
forty-dollar  pony,  a  Texas  saddle,  saddle-bags, 
spurs  and  a  "stake-rope."  I  knew  no  differ- 
ence between  the  "keep"  of  a  mustang  and  a 
Kentucky  thoroughbred,  and  kept  my  pony 
for  four  days  in  a  stall,  well  fed  and  groomed. 
Then  I  mounted  him  in  Waxahachie,  near  a 
woodpile  of  about  ten  cords  which  Brother 
Trippett  had  in  the  street.  My  horse,  true  to 
his  ancestry,  reared  and  humped  and  pitched. 
I  was  pulling  off  a  first-class  Wild  West  show 
altogether  unplanned  by  me.  I  held  on  with 
amazing  grip  until  I  thought  of  the  woodpile, 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


and  had  visions  of  a  mixture  of  mangled  flesh 
and  broken  bones  and  cordwood.  Deciding 
"discretion  to  be  the  better  part  of  valor,"  I 
released  my  feet  from  the  stirrups,  and,  select- 
ing a  spot  some  distance  from  the  wood,  threw 
myself  from  the  saddle.  When  I  had  collected 
myself,  the  pony  was  far  away.  Mr.  Will 
Briggs,  who  was  near,  gave  chase  and  lariated 
the  mustang,  and  I  remounted  and  rode  away 
in  triumph. 

Much  of  my  preaching  was  done  in  school- 
houses,  in  private  residences,  under  arbors, 
under  trees — anywhere  I  could  find  those  who 
would  hear  me.  Many  heard  our  preaching 
for  the  first  time,  and  some  wild  rumors  were 
afloat.  Perhaps  I  was  not  so  careful  as  I 
should  have  been.  At  any  rate,  I  recall  that 
during  a  sermon  at  Thomas'  Schoolhouse  I  was 
trying  to  show  that  the  spiritual  and  the  fleshly 
heart  were  not  the  same,  and  said :  ' '  This  heart 
of  flesh  has  no  more  to  do  with  our  religion 
than  has  our  heel."  For  ten  years  I  faced  the 
charge  of  having  preached  that  "a  man  has 
no  more  religion  in  his  heart  than  in  his  heel." 

There  were  noble  men  and  women  in  my 
field  in  Ellis  County,  in  that  early  day.  I 
wish  I  had  space  to  pay  tribute  to  each. 
Among  them  were  Dr.  and  Mrs.  R.  P.  Sweatt, 
R.  V.  B.  Sweatt  and  wife,  James  McCartney 
and  wife,  Aaron  Trippett  and  wife,  Tate  Miller 
2  17 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


and  wife,  J.  B.  Meredith  and  wife,  J.  W. 

Embry    and    wife,    Brock    and  wife, 

  McCoy  and  wife,  G.  G.  Higgenbotham 

and  wife,  T.  B.  Chalmers  and  wife,  A.  J.  Soape 
and  wife,  Dr.  Jennings,  John  Couch  and  wife, 
James  Couch  and  wife,  Quincy  Sweatt  and 
wife,  Anson  Rainey  and  wife.  These  were 
members  of  the  four  churches  for  which  I  first 
labored.  Others  in  the  field  were  Dr.  Roebuck 
and  wife,  Luther  Wells  and  wife,  Jacob  Hen- 
dricks and  wife,  Henry  Hendricks  and  wife, 
William  Ricketts,  and  a  few  others.  None 
of  the  above  were  preachers  except  that 
Bros.  Henry  Hendricks  and  Ricketts  did 
local  preaching.  All  of  those  here  named 
have  passed  into  the  beyond  with  the  exception 
of  Mrs.  Dr.  Sweatt,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller,  Mrs. 
McCoy,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Soape,  James  Couch, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rainey,  Dr.  Roebuck,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wells  and  Mrs.  Jacob  Hendricks;  the  last 
named  at  this  writing  has  just  reached  her 
ninety-second  anniversary,  and  is  still  a 
regular  attendant  upon  the  services  of  the 
Lord's  house.  Mr.  Rainey  is  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Civil  Court  of  Appeals  sitting  at  Dallas, 
and  is  president  of  the  Texas  Christian  Mis- 
sionary Board. 

For  twenty  years,  all  told,  I  preached  for 
the  church  of  Waxahachie.    We  were  almost 
twins — certainly  a  pair  of  babies.    The  church 
18 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


was  four  months  of  age  when  we  met,  and  I, 
as  a  preacher,  fourteen  months  its  senior.  I 
have  always  felt  that  the  two  children  being 
thus  thrown  together  was  a  fortunate  thing 
for  me.  Neither  expected  much  of  the  other, 
and  neither  was  disappointed.  The  congrega- 
tion, which  had  been  organized  by  Addison 
Clark,  numbered  about  twenty  souls.  The 
church  grew;  the  preacher— well,  let  that  pass. 

In  January,  1879,  among  the  Texas  preach- 
ers were  A.  C.  and  A.  P.  Aten,  "Billy"  Alex- 
ander, A.  J.  Bush,  Jas.  Beard,  T.  R.  Burnett, 
Kirk  Baxter,  Thomas  Barrett,  H.  D.  Bantau, 
J.  A..  Addison  and  Randolph  Clark,  T.  W. 
Caskey,  Charles  Carlton,  E.  B.  Challenner, 
R.  0.  Charles,  W.  C.  Dimmitt,  A.  M.  Douglas, 
Ed  Dabney,  Walter  Dabney,  S.  R.  Ezzell,  J.  B. 
Faulkner,  John  Ferguson,  R.  M.  Gano,  W.  K. 
Homan,  W.  E.  Hall,  R.  C.  Horn,  W.  L.  Harri- 
son, W.  J.  Jones,  B.  F.  Hall,  John  A.  Lincoln, 
E.  H.  Major,  Henry  Pangburn,  David  Pen- 
nington, John  T.  Poe,  Alfred  Padon,  J.  H.  0. 
Polly,  W.  P.  Richardson,  John  Rawlins,  Ed 
Stirman,  V.  I.  Stirman,  T.  M.  Sweeney,  W.  Y. 
Taylor,  J.  L.  Thornberry,  J.  J.  Williamson, 
J.  J.  Hall,  C.  M.  Wilmeth,  James  Wilmeth. 
Perhaps  there  were  others  whom  I  never  met. 
Also,  there  were  some  itinerants  who  had  no 
definite  abiding-place.  Of  those  named,  A.  C. 
and  A.  P.  Aten,  A.  J.  Bush,  Randolph  Clark, 
19 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


R.  C.  Horn,  David  Pennington  and  B.  F.  Hall 
are,  at  this  writing,  alive. 

At  that  time  we  had  three  churches  in  the 
State  which  supported  preachers  for  their 
entire  time — Sherman,  Austin,  Dallas.  There 
were  not  exceeding  ten  of  our  preachers  in  the 
State  who  were  wholly  supported  from  preach- 
ing. Salaries  were,  of  course,  meager.  The 
sum  promised  me  for  my 'first  year  was  sixty 
dollars  per  month,  and  I  was  styled  a  "stall- 
fed  preacher"  by  some.  I  remember  a  meeting 
which  I  conducted  for  ten  days,  baptizing  a 
number  of  persons,  traveling  eighty  miles  in 
my  buggy  going  and  returning,  for  which  I 
received  the  handsome  sum  of  fifty  cents.  I 
preached  once  a  month  for  a  church  (my 
second  year  in  Texas)  which  gave  me  $150, 
two  brethren  paying  $120,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  congregation  $30.  The  two  mentioned 
moved  elsewhere,  and  the  $30  company  asked 
for  my  services  for  another  year,  which  honor 
I  could  not  well  afford.  In  one  of  my  meetings 
there  were  two  rival  leaders  of  song,  so  called 
— husband  and  wife.  I  recall  an  invitation 
song  which  was  excruciating  even  to  my  un- 
cultured ears.  The  wife  was  the  first  to  begin, 
making  a  heroic  effort,  but  missing  every  note 
in  the  song.  When  the  husband  entered  the 
game  he  was  several  words  in  the  rear,  but 
plunged  terrifically,  and  soon  had  passed  the 
20 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


partner  of  his  joys  and  sorrows.  Each  was 
singing  on  an  independent  key,  and  it  seemed 
as  if  they  were  working  off  rival  tunes.  The 
remainder  of  us  remained  neutral  spectators, 
wondering  which  would  reach  the  close  first, 
as  that  seemed  to  be  the  chief  purpose.  She 
skipped  and  he  jumped.  Never  once  were  they 
attempting  the  same  word  at  the  same  moment. 
The  whole  thing  was  somewhat  like  a  scenic 
railway  journey,  or  a  kaleidoscope,  or  the 
mingling  of  a  bagpipe  and  a  jew's-harp.  Com- 
pare it  as  one  might,  it  was  excruciatingly 
funny,  if  such  a  thing  is  possible.  There  were 
no  additions  to  the  invitation  from  the  preach- 
er. Later  both  of  these  worthies  were  violent 
in  their  opposition  to  instrumental  music  in 
the  church.  Perhaps  they  feared  for  the  fate 
of  their  own  leadership. 

Speaking  of  instruments  in  the  church 
house  reminds  me  of  two  or  three  incidents. 
One  of  the  first  organs  placed  in  one  of  our 
Texas  churches  was  treated  a  la  George 
Washington-cherry-tree  by  a  good  sister.  The 
work  was  done  thoroughly.  In  the  long  ago, 
one  of  our  very  best  preachers,  and  one  of  the 
most  prominent,  held  a  meeting  at  Palestine, 
where  an  organ  had  been  introduced.  The 
meeting  did  not  result  in  much  apparent  suc- 
cess, and  the  brother  was  discouraged.  Report- 
ing to  the  Christian  Preacher  what  he  thought 
21 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


to  be  a  failure,  and  attributing  the  lack  of 
results  to  the  presence  of  the  organ,  he  gave 
due  notice  to  all  churches  using  the  instrument 
that  none  such  need  ever  call  upon  him  for 
services,  as  such  call  would  only  meet  with 
refusal.  Later  he  preached  many  hundreds  of 
times  in  the  presence  of  the  instrument,  and 
that  without  quivering.  One  of  our  truest  men 
was  addressed  by  F.  D.  Srygley,  then  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Paris,  and  a  most  ardent 
advocate  of  missionary  societies,  asking  his  co- 
operation in  the  formation  of  a  Texas  mission- 
ary society.  He  replied :  "If  I  know  what  a 
missionary  society  is,  I  am  opposed  to  it." 
Later,  he  became  a  hearty  supporter  of  all  our 
missionary  organizations,  while  Brother  Srygley 
became  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Gospel  Advo- 
cate, of  Nashville,  and  opposed  such  organiza- 
tions with  all  his  splendid  abilities. 

Here  is  a  story  which  I  have  heard  Bro. 
A.  J.  Bush  relate.  He  was  in  Texas  before 
me,  and  this  incident  was  ahead  of  my  time 
here.  Bush  had  an  engagement  for  a  pro- 
tracted meeting  quite  a  long  distance  from  his 
home.  This  was  in  the  day  when  cattle-stealing 
was  a  capital  offence  if  the  guilty  fellow  should 
be  caught,  but  the  stealing  was  quite  a  success- 
ful business  when  conducted  without  detection. 
Bush  drove  to  the  place,  and  when  he  ca 
to  the  neighborhood  inquired  for  the  home  of 
22 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


the  brother  with  whom  he  had  corresponded, 
but  whom  he  had  never  met.  He  arrived  and 
saw  a  number  of  men  in  the  yard.  One  came 
to  his  buggy  and  introduced  himself,  and  told 
Brother  Bush  to  get  out  and  go  into  the  house ; 
that  he  would  be  gone  for  a  little  while,  as 
the  group  had  a  cow-thief  to  hang,  and  as  soon 
as  that  should  be  over  he  would  return,  and 
they  would  talk  over  plans  for  the  meeting, 
which  was  to  begin  on  the  next  morning.  I 
have  never  heard  Brother  Bush  report  results 
from  his  meeting. 

Railroads  in  Texas,  forty  years  ago,  were 
few  and  crude.  The  fare  was  five  cents  a  mile. 
I  heard  the  first  whistle  of  a  train  entering 
Waxahachie.  The  road  ran  from  that  village 
to  Garrett,  twelve  miles  away.  The  engine 
bore  the  name  "John  C.  Gibson,"  named  for 
the  father  of  C.  W.  Gibson,  whom  all  our 
Texas  brotherhood  knows.  To  go  to  Dallas,  we 
changed  at  Garrett.  Frequently  eight  or  nine 
hours  were  consumed  in  making  the  trip  be- 
tween the  two  towns — "Waxahachie  and  Dallas 
— a  distance  by  rail,  then,  of  forty-two  miles. 
To  make  the  round  trip  cost  $4.20.  The  little 
road  had  a  record  of  its  train  running  off  the 
track  one  hundred  times  in  a  single  month. 
The  road  with  which  it  connected  at  Garrett 
was  the  Houston  &  Texas  Central,  which  had 
been  christened  "The  Angel  Maker,"  because 
23 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


of  its  numerous  accidents.  Upon  one  occasion 
about  ten  of  us  waited  in  the  station  of  Gar- 
rett, without  food  or  bed  or  fire,  from  an  hour 
before  sunset  to  an  hour  after  sunrise  of  the 
following  day,  and  the  only  consolation  we 
received  was :  "It  may  come  at  any  minute. ' ' 
One  death  caused  by  that  road  was  mourned 
far  and  wide.  A  preacher  had  just  closed 
a  most  successful  meeting  in  Dallas,  and  was 
on  his  way  to  McKinney  for  another.  He  and 
two  other  preachers — a  Baptist  and  a  Disciple 
— were  engaged  in  conversation  when  this  man 
said:  "It  is  a  glorious  thing  to  rally  the  people 
to  the  cross  of  Jesus  Christ."  At  that  moment 
the  train  left  the  rails,  and  rolled  over  an 
embankment,  and  the  evangelist  passed  into 
eternity.  He  was  a  great  preacher  in  every 
sense  of  the  word.  His  sermons,  exhortations, 
songs,  faith — all  were  marvels  of  power.  He 
did  not  confine  himself  to  conventionalities. 
Sometimes  he  was  on  the  rostrum,  then  at  the 
door  of  the  room,  later  walking  through  the 
aisles,  sometimes  sitting  at  the  organ  as  he 
sang  a  song  which  reached  every  heart.  Bro. 
T.  W.  Caskey  heard  him  in  Dallas — that  last 
meeting — and  the  great  tears  streamed  down  a 
face  unused  to  such.  Often  he  had  been  heard 
to  say :  ' '  The  fountain  of  tears  is  dry ;  I  shed 
them  all  over  the  Lost  Cause."  After  the 
service  a  brother  asked  Brother  Caskey  about 
24 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


the  dry  fountain,  and  he  replied :  '  ■  He  took  an 
unfair  advantage  of  me,  and  sang  a  story 
about  a  little  baby  dying  when  I  wasn't  look- 
ing for  it."  Of  course,  by  this  time,  every 
reader  knows  who  the  great  preacher  was — - 
Knowles  Shaw. 

Bear  with  me  a  little  longer.  That  which 
is  now  one  of  our  very  best  of  Texas  churches 
was  exceedingly  feeble.  The  time  of  this  story 
was  after  several  of  our  Texas  churches  had 
introduced  the  organ  into  its  services,  and 
among  these  was  that  where  I  was  laboring — 
"Waxahachie.  A  few  women  and  a  solitary  man 
at  Longview  conceived  the  idea,  somehow,  of 
asking  me  to  assist  the  church  in  a  meeting. 
None  of  them  were  on  "the  official  board." 
I  accepted  their  invitation,  being  altogether  in 
the  dark  as  to  the  fact  that  I  was  invited  un- 
officially. The  ladies  called  upon  the  "ruling 
elder"  with  a  request  for  the  "meeting-house." 
This  was  promptly  refused.  The  elder  was 
then  informed  that  I  had  accepted  their  invi- 
tation, and,  if  the  house  was  not  available, 
other  arrangements  could  be  made.  Supposing 
he  could  carry  his  point,  he  agreed  to  leave 
the  matter  to  the  small  congregation.  The 
ladies  "got  busy,"  and  secured  a  majority  vote. 
When  I  arrived — totally  ignorant  of  all  that 
had  happened — the  elder  was  out  of  town.  To 
avoid  being  "stuck,"  the  people  had  plastered 
25 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  seats,  which  had  been  painted  with  ever- 
lasting paint,  with  newspapers.  On  one  of 
these  I  saw  a  full  page  from  the  Firm  Founda- 
tion, containing  a  column  article  of  which  I 
was  the  text.  Modesty  forbids  my  quoting 
therefrom.  For  fifteen  days  I  preached  with- 
out an  addition,  but  there  was  something  per- 
haps better  than  additions  at  that  time.  "The 
people  had  a  mind  to  work,"  and  they  worked. 
They  employed  L.  A.  Dale,  a  young  man  of 
Lake  Charles,  La.,  as  their  preacher.  When  he 
began  his  work  the  elder  locked  the  church 
door.  Some  one  entered  by  an  open  window, 
removed  the  lock,  put  a  new  one  in  its  place, 
took  the  key  in  his  pocket,  and  Dale  continued 
his  work  as  if  nothing  at  all  had  occurred. 
Two  elders  entered  suit  against  "the  digres- 
sives, "  and  these  employed  W.  K.  Homan  as 
their  attorney.  Then  it  was  that  honors  thick 
and  fast  were  conferred  upon  me.  Homan 
told  me  he  asked  one  of  the  witnesses  if  he 
knew  who  had  been  the  originator  of  all  the 
disturbing  things  he  had  mentioned  as  "inno- 
vations." such  as  organs,  Endeavor  societies, 
ladies'  aid  societies,  to  which  question  he 
promptly  replied:  "Yes.  It  was  that  fellow 
McPherson,  of  Waxahachie. " 

The  church  houses  used  by  our  people  in 
1879  were  thoroughly  up  to  date  for  what  was 
practically  a  frontier  region.    They  would  not 

26 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


be  so  designated  to-day.  The  largest  and  best 
equipped  did  not  have  more  than  two  rooms; 
one  had  a  basement.  We  often  preached  to 
congregations  in  the  country  where  our  only 
light  was  from  one  small  brass  lamp  without 
chimney.  With  such  a  light  in  front  of  the 
speaker,  he  could  not  distinguish  his  nearest 
auditors;  he  could  not  so  much  as  discover  an 
outline  of  those  who  sat  a  few  feet  away.  The 
majority  of  us  were  traveling  preachers,  which 
is  to  say  we  rode  Spanish  ponies,  wore  spurs, 
conveyed  our  Bible  and  change  of  clothing  in 
saddle-bags,  and  took  our  stable  along  with  us. 
The  last  was  a  lariat — a  rope  about  forty  feet 
in  length,  carried  in  coils  over  the  "horn"  of 
the  saddle.  With  this  rope  we  "staked  out" 
the  pony. 

In  1879 — that  first  year  in  Texas — I  at- 
tended the  "State  meeting"  held  at  Thorp's 
Spring.  Add-Ran  College  was  located  there. 
Something  like  one  hundred  visitors  were  in 
attendance.  The  villagers  graciously  received 
us  into  their  homes,  where  we  lodged  and 
breakfasted.  Dinner  and  supper — we  had  not 
yet  arrived  at  the  lunch  and  evening  dinner 
stage — were  served  in  the  open,  on  home-made 
tables,  under  an  arbor  covering,  and  the  liberal 
Texas  winds  abundantly  furnished  all  the  sand 
necessary.  There  I  met,  for  the  first  time,  the 
Texas  preachers  of  that  day.    We  were  rather 

27 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


short  on  "system,"  and  our  organization  was 
doubtless  exceedingly  defective.  In  fact,  we 
had  no  organization  at  all  beyond  a  very 
meager  one  in  the  local  congregation.  There 
was  no  co-operation  of  forces  whatever.  We 
met  and  preached  and  sang  and  prayed,  and 
loved  one  another,  and  went  to  our  fields  of 
work  the  better  for  the  experience.  There  were 
deep  faith  and  holy  enthusiasm.  Perhaps  our 
vision  was  narrow,  but  those  men  and  women 
believed  something,  and  that  with  the  whole 
heart.  Their  labors  did  not  cover  large  terri- 
tories, but  they  stood  for  something  definite, 
and  for  that  definite  position  they  dedicated 
their  all.  Neither  position,  promotion  nor 
larger  salaries  characterized  the  spirit  which 
stirred  them  to  labor.  I  am  not  minimizing 
the  value  of  organization  nor  of  well-laid  plans. 
For  these  I  have  contended  through  the  years, 
and  on  them  we  must  insist,  but  never  should 
they  be  the  object  of  faith  nor  the  goal  of 
ambition.  For  the  zeal,  the  piety,  the  devo- 
tion, the  faith,  the  life  of  those  heroes  and 
heroines  of  yesterday  there  can  be  no  substi- 
tutions. And  it  had  just  as  well  be  said  that 
for  their  faith,  their  labors,  their  methods, 
their  consecration,  we  may  find  no  cause  for  a 
blush.  He  who  points  to  them  with  a  sneer, 
sneers  at  men  and  women  of  the  type  that  laid 
foundations  for  the  possibilities  of  to-day.  For 

28 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


them  let  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving  go  up  to 
God. 

These  reminiscences  could  be  continued  at 
great  length,  but  this  is  near  the  place  to 
close.  They  have  their  value,  and  this  is 
large,  but  he  who  has  come  to  live  in  the  past 
rather  than  to  visit  there,  lias  ceased  from 
usefulness.  Those  days  were  pioneers  for  the 
present ;  to-day  is  the  pioneer  for  to-morrow. 
The  toilers  of  yesterday  laid  the  foundations 
for  the  builders  of  to-day ;  we  must  lay  foun- 
dations for  larger  things.  "Face  the  future" 
must  be  our  motto,  and  "forward"  the  com- 
mand which  we  heed. 

It  is  barely  possible  that  the  reader  of 
these  pages  of  reveries  may  raise  that  meddle- 
some, never-to-be-downed  question,  "How  old 
is  he?"  "He"  is  not  "old"  at  all.  His  youth 
may  be  of  the  stretching  sort,  but  it  is  youth. 
And  that  youth  has  on  this  day — January  20, 
1920 — touched  the  line  of  seventy  years. 
Seventy  years  is  but  a  span  of  life.  I  have 
no  faith  whatever  in  that  theory  which  seems 
to  please  the  occasional  one,  that  I  have  lived 
in  other  days  and  in  another  sphere.  The 
conclusive  proof  for  this  seems  to  be  a  passing 
nutter  of  "It  seems  as  if  I  have  seen  or  heard 
or  felt  this  before,  sometime,  somewhere."  I 
look  back  to  no  "previous  existence"  save  that 
which  was  found  in  the  divinity  when  God 
29 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


"breathed  the  breath  of  life."  Then,  and  not 
till  then,  did  "man  become  a  living  soul." 
These  seventy  years  have  been  the  first  span  of 
my  personal  being.  Mingled  with  those  years 
have  been  opportunities,  temptations,  invita- 
tions, inspirations.  They  point  to  a  future. 
'  Twould  be  but  an  idling  of  precious  time  if  I 
should  repine  now  because  of  the  failures  which 
I  have  brought  to  pass.  Let  the  faults  and  the 
virtues,  the  wrongs  and  the  rights,  the  weak- 
ness and  the  strength,  the  sins  and  the  redemp- 
tions of  that  span  of  years  become  an  inspira- 
tion to  that  which  is  calling — the  work  for 
to-day  and  for  to-morrow.  May  He  whose 
hand  has  touched  and  guided  His  people  in 
the  other  days  be  with  us  even  to  the  end. 

On  this  anniversary,  counting  you,  my  read- 
ers, as  "my  loving  nieces,"  I  appropriate  these 
lines  from  Walt  Mason,  copied  from  the  Amer- 
ican Magazine.  Under  the  title  of  "The  Sere 
and  Yellow  Leaf"  he  wrote: 

"I'm  all  in,  or  pretty  near  it,  so  many 
years  would  indicate ;  but  time  can  not  daunt 
my  spirit,  or  my  youthful  airs  abate.  Not  for 
me  the  carpet  slippers,  garments  long  since 
out  of  style,  predigested  food  in  dippers,  or  a 
sickly  graveyard  smile.  Till  my  system  goes  to 
pieces,  falls  apart  beyond  repair,  I'm  on  deck, 
my  loving  nieces,  with  my  coat-tails  in  the  air. 
You  can't  shelve  your  frisky  uncle;  you 
30 


FORTY-ONE  YEARS  AGO 


can't  back  him  off  the  street,  though  he  has  a 
large  carbuncle  and  two  ring-bones  on  his  feet, 
I  am  old  as  years  are  counted,  but  I'm  young, 
in  fact,  my  dears,  for  my  soul  is  not  encum- 
bered with  the  cobwebs  of  the  years.  I'm  not 
ever  backward  gazing,  with  a  dotard's  vacant 
stare,  claiming  that  all  things  amazing,  all 
things  great,  are  buried  there.  I  am  living  in 
the  present,  and  the  present  is  the  stuff,  and 
I  find  this  world  so  pleasant  I  can  hardly  get 
enough.  Oh,  my  whiskers  may  be  snowy,  and 
my  step  be  kind  o'  slow,  and  my  bald  spot 
rather  showy,  but  I'm  young,  I'd  have  you 
know.  I'm  not  one  to  thirst  and  hunger  for 
the  aspect  of  a  sage,  and  I'll  keep  on  getting 
younger  till  I  haven't  any  age." 


31 


Organizing  the  Work 

1.  Some  Beginnings 

2.  Texas  Missions  Enlarging 

3.  Texas  Bible-school  Work 

4.  The  Christian  Woman's  Board  of 

Missions  in  Texas 


3 


33 


/hoW  9ffi  gnixirusg 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


SOME  BEGINNINGS 

IN  ye  olden  time,  before  I  ever  set  foot  on 
the  soil  of  Texas,  I  know  not  who  conceived 
the  idea  of  a  "State  meeting."  My  first 
association  with  this  was  at  Thorp  Spring,  in 
1879.  Disciples  came  together  for  social  and 
religious  contact.  No  committee  was  appointed 
save  one  '. '  on  resolutions, ' '  whose  duty  it  was 
to  thank  citizens,  newspapers  and  railroads, 
and  dissolve.  No  business  of  any  kind  was 
attempted  beyond  the  selection  of  the  time  and 
place  for  the  next  meeting.  We  chatted,  sang, 
preached,  prayed,  said  "good-by"  and  sepa- 
rated. No  program  had  been  prepared  beyond 
the  announcement  of  subjects  for  sermons,  the 
speakers  being  selected  after  arrival.  Bro.  J. 
A.  Clark  was  in  charge  of  this  at  my  first 
meeting.  The  subject  announced  for  one  of 
the  afternoon  sermons  was  "The  Inspiration 
of  the  Scriptures."  Brother  Clark  asked  me 
to  take  this  period,  and,  in  the  goodness  of  his 
heart,  suggested  that  I  would  be  free  to  choose 
a  different  theme  if  I  should  so  desire.  But 
why  should  I  so  desire?  I  was  sufficiently 
young  and  uninformed  to  attempt  anything. 
35 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


The  picture  of  Bro.  C.  M.  Wilmeth  and  other 
brethren  serenely  sleeping  through  the  address 
is  still  vivid.  My  mental  commentary  was: 
"You  men  do  not  know  a  good  thing  when  it 
comes  to  your  very  doors. ' '  Since  then,  others 
have  slept  through  my  sermons,  but  I  under- 
stand better  now. 

In  1880  we  met  at  Waxahachie.  William 
E.  Hall,  of  Austin,  offered  a  resolution  pro- 
posing church  co-operation  in  State  missionary 
effort.  He  and  I  made  the  only  talks  in  favor 
of  the  resolution.  Gen.  E.  M.  Gano  opposed  it 
in  a  fervent  speech.  The  vote  was  about  a 
half-dozen  for,  and  all  others  against.  In  1881 
the  assembly  was  at  Bonham,  and  the  year 
following  in  Fort  Worth.  Here,  F.  D.  Srygley, 
of  Paris,  proposed  a  plan  that  individuals  and 
congregations  place  funds  in  the  hands  of  the 
elders  of  a  local  congregation,  for  use  in  State 
missionary  effort.  This  was  adopted  and  Waco 
was  chosen.  Dr.  Thomas  Moore  was  in  reality 
"the  board,"  though  no  one  dared  to  use  such 
a  word.  He  employed  C.  M.  Wilmeth  as  evan- 
gelist. The  work  accomplished  but  little,  be- 
cause we  were  a  set  of  infants  in  such  matters. 
However,  it  was  the  germ  of  co-operation.  In 
1883  we  met  in  Ennis,  and  the  program  for  the 
first  year  was  renewed.  Brother  Wilmeth  was 
editing  and  publishing  a  small  paper  known  as 
the  Christian  Preacher.  Some  of  us  felt  that 
36 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


either  he  should  turn  the  paper  into  other 
hands,  or  some  one  else  should  undertake  the 
evangelistic  work.  The  year  following,  the 
meeting  was  at  Bryan.  A  private  meeting  was 
held.  I  recall  some  of  those  who  were  a  part 
of  it;  Charles  Carlton,  W.  K.  Homan,  Homer 
T.  Wilson,  G.  A.  Faris,  J.  S.  Kendrick,  W.  C. 
Dimmitt,  Judge  Spencer  Ford  and  I  were 
there.  Perhaps  there  were  others.  I  am  the 
only  surviving  member  of  the  group.  We 
agreed  that  in  making  our  pledges  for  the  work 
we  would  each  make  the  condition  that  the 
evangelist  employed  should  give  his  entire  time 
to  that  work.  Brother  Carlton  led  in  making 
the  first  conditional  pledge,  and  we  followed. 
The  work  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  elders 
of  the  Sherman  Church,  which  meant  that 
Brother  Dimmitt  was  the  new  board.  This 
was  with  the  approval  of  Dr.  Moore.  He 
employed  F.  S.  Young,  now  deceased,  who 
served  for  two  years.  A  small  advance  was 
made  in  the  way  of  rendering  assistance  to 
what  was  then  the  new  and  struggling  little 
band  of  San  Antonio.  This  church  had 
previously  been  planted  through  the  labors  of 
Bro.  David  Pennington,  now  of  Taylor. 

Returning  to  the  Bryan  meeting,  Brother 
Dimmitt  offered  a  resolution  requesting  the 
ladies  of  the  churches  to  organize  themselves 
into  local  groups  in  aid  of  State  Missions.  At 
37 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


once  the  atmosphere  became  "blue,"  the  clouds 
rolled  heavily,  lightnings  flashed  and  thunders 
cannonaded.  C.  M.  Wilmeth  was  the  center 
of  it  all.  Eloquently  and  earnestly  and  pa- 
thetically he  pointed  out  breakers  ahead.  As 
soon  as  he  could  get  the  floor,  Brother  Dimmitt 
quieted  the  storm  by  withdrawing  the  resolu- 
tion. 

At  this  meeting  a  wee  step  was  taken  to- 
ward organized  State  work.  A  committee,  con- 
sisting of  G.  A.  Faris,  John  C.  Gibson  and 
myself,  was  named  to  call  together  the  workers 
in  Bible  schools  for  the  purpose  of  more  ad- 
vanced work.  How  such  a  resolution  ever 
passed  has  always  been  a  cause  of  wonder  to 
me,  but  it  did  pass,  and  that  without  a  dissent- 
ing vote.  This  will  be  mentioned  again  in  this 
article. 

In  1885  the  State  meeting  assembled  in 
Sherman.  Here  a  strong  effort  for  more  effi- 
cient organization  was  made.  Resolutions  to 
this  effect  were  presented,  and  for  an  entire 
day  were  discussed.  C.  M.  Wilmeth,  R.  C. 
Horn  and  W.  H.  Wright  led  the  opposition. 
The  two  last  named  later  most  heartily  co- 
operated with  organized  missionary  work.  We 
believed  we  had  come  to  our  opportunity. 
Brothers  Carlton  and  Caskey,  both  ardent 
friends  to  the  movement,  thought  the  time  was 
premature.  One  offered  a  motion  to  table  the 
38 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


resolution;  the  other  seconded  it,  and  others 
of  us  yielded.  They  were  our  beloved  fathers, 
and  we  would  not  oppose  their  judgment.  The 
next  year  (1886)  we  met  in  Austin. 

Leaving  the  history  for  a  time,  let  us  return 
to  our  Sunday-school  Committee  appointed  at 
Bryan.  That  story  forms  an  important  link 
in  the  history.  The  committee  called  a  meeting 
to  be  held  in  Waxahachie  during  the  autumn 
of  1884.  This  was  attended  by  about  twenty- 
five  persons,  not  including  those  of  us  who 
lived  in  "Waxahachie.  I  now  recall  W.  H. 
Bagby,  Henry  Pangburn,  R.  T.  Skiles,  Luther 
Wells,  C.  M.  Wilmeth,  A.  J.  Soape  and  C.  C. 
Cline.  Brother  Cline  was  from  Kentucky.  G. 
A.  Faris  was  one  of  the  Waxahachie  company 
present.  I  had  the  honor  of  being  selected 
as  chairman.  G.  A.  Faris  was  named  as  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions.  The 
committee  reported  favoring  the  organization 
of  a  Sunday-school  convention,  with  a  Board 
of  Directors  and  the  employment  of  a  Sunday- 
school  evangelist.  This  was  strenuously  op- 
posed by  two  persons — C.  M.  Wilmeth,  of 
Texas,  and  C.  C.  Cline,  of  Kentucky. 

An  amusing  thing  took  place  during  the 
discussion.  One  section  of  the  resolution  was 
to  the  effect  that  the  Executive  Board  should 
consist  of  five  persons — the  president,  vice- 
president  and  secretary  of  the  convention,  and 
39 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


two  others  to  be  named  by  the  Chair.  W.  H. 
Bagby,  now  of  California,  made  the  point  that 
the  resolution  was  inconsistent  in  that  it  called 
for  a  board  of  fi.e,  and  yet  specified  the  three 
officers  and  two  others  to  be  named,  adding : 
"That  does  not  make  the  proper  number." 
The  chairman  asked  if  he  was  to  understand 
that  three  and  two  did  not  make  five.  After 
a  moment's  hesitation,  Bagby  replied:  "Mr. 
Chairman,  that  is  a  perfect  illustration.  I 
clearly  saw  an  inconsistency  where  none  ex- 
isted. Brothers  Wilmeth  and  Cline  think  they 
have  found  something  radically  wrong  with 
our  proposal.  The  wrong  is  on  a  par  with 
that  which  I  saw — altogether  in  the  imagina- 
tion." Bagby  was  accused,  by  his  friends,  of 
a  plot  ab  initio.  This  he  denied.  The  resolu- 
tion was  adopted.  So  far  as  I  recall,  the  only 
vote  cast  against  it  was  that  of  Brother  Wil- 
meth, Brother  Cline  being  a  non-resident. 

James  H.  Rosecrans,  now  of  Breakabeen, 
New  York,  was  called  as  Sunday-school  evan- 
gelist. This  he  accepted,  and  remained  with 
the  work  for  four  years  with  increasing  suc- 
cess. He  had  a  difficult  time  getting  started. 
Brethren  were  afraid  of  anything  like  a  con- 
vention or  a  board.  Even  those  who  favored 
such  things  seemed  afraid  to  be  the  first  to 
move..  Bro.  Rosecrans  began  to  grow  dis- 
couraged as  he  drifted  from  point  to  point 
40 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


without  finding  an  open  door.  Add-Ran  Col- 
lege, of  Thorp  Spring,  was  the  first  to  agree  to 
receive  him,  but  this  was  immediately  followed 
by  a  letter  saying  to  Rosecrans:  "We  have 
been  informed  by  a  prominent  brother,  .  .  .  and 
if  these  things  are  true,  we  do  not  want  you 
either  in  Thorp  Spring  or  in  Texas."  Rose- 
crans promptly  demanded  a  complete  investi- 
gation, which  was  made  by  Addison  Clark,  and 
the  charge  was  proven  to  be  false  in  every 
particular.  The  exoneration  was  perfect.  It 
was  a  shameful  effort  to  wreck  one  of  God's 
noblemen,  but  the  guilty  party  was  fully  ex- 
posed. A  few  weeks  later  a  most  successful 
institute  was  conducted  at  the  college.  In  the 
meantime.  Rosecrans'  first  work  in  the  State 
was  made  possible  by  A.  0.  Riall,  who  was 
teaching  at  Denton,  and  preaching  both  there 
and  at  Pilot  Point.  Two  weeks'  work  was 
given  to  the  two  places.  Thus  it  was,  in  a 
sense,  that  A.  0.  Riall  became  the  father  of 
our  organized  missionary  work  in  Texas.  A 
worthy  service  rendered  by  a  worthy  man. 
At  the  close  of  four  years  Rosecrans  resigned, 
and  the  State  organization  in  the  interest  of 
Bible-school  work  soon  began  to  wane.  But  the 
influence  of  that  effort  did  not  cease.  The 
success  of  the  first  eighteen  months  went  very 
far  toward  making  the  organization  of  our 
State  missionary  work  possible. 

41 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


As  stated  above,  the  Sherman  State  meeting 
adjourned  to  meet  in  Austin.  This  gathering 
was  July  7-9,  1886.  In  advance  of  the  meeting, 
a  call  was  issued,  signed  by  Dr.  W.  A.  Morris 
and  D.  Hardin  Walsh,  elders  of  the  Austin 
congregation,  containing  these  words:  "All 
churches  in  harmony  with  this  movement  are 
cordially  invited  to  send  their  delegates  or 
representatives."  The  "movement"  referred 
to  was  in  anticipation  of  an  attempt  to  organ- 
ize forces  for  more  effective  labors  in  missions. 
The  original  program  prepared  by  those 
brethren  for  the  meeting  lies  on  my  table  as 
I  write.  This  provided  for  devotional  services, 
organization,  appointment  of  committees,  re- 
ports, miscellaneous  business,  six  subjects  and 
speakers  to  be  later  announced,  one  address 
on  "How  to  Raise  Money  for  Missionary  Pur- 
poses," the  speaker  to  be  chosen  later,  and 
three  addresses  for  which  both  subjects  and 
speakers  were  announced.  These  were  "Ad- 
dress of  Welcome."  by  Dr.  W.  A.  Morris: 
"The  Wants  of  the  State."  by  W.  C.  Dimmitt, 
and  "Mission  Work,"  by  Chalmei's  McPher- 
son.  Many  assembled,  including  those  who 
were  not  "in  harmony  with  this  movement." 
Indications  of  a  coming  struggle  were  every- 
where manifest.  W.  K.  Homan  was  selected  as 
chairman — the  very  man  for  the  place.  The 
Committee  on  Resolutions  consisted  of  B.  F. 
42 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


Gooch,  J.  S.  Kendrick,  D.  W.  Pritchett,  J.  H. 
Rosecrans  and  Chalmers  McPherson.  All  these 
were  ardent  advocates  of  organized  work.  In- 
stead of  reporting  the  usual  resolutions,  the 
committee  submitted  a  series  of  seven  para- 
graphs intended  to  be  the  basis  of  co-operative 
effort.  I  know  of  no  existing  copy  of  those 
resolutions.  They  should  have  been  preserved, 
as  they  were  the  makers  of  history.  The  oppo- 
sition leaders  were  C.  M.  Wilmeth,  W.  H.  D. 
Carrington,  J.  D.  Tant  and  Dr.  Carroll  Ken- 
drick, the  latter  being  a  former  citizen  of 
Texas,  but  then  of  California.  Those  who 
favored  the  resolution  agreed  privately  to  allow 
the  opposition  to  do  all  the  public  speaking. 
The  committee  reported  on  the  forenoon  of 
Wednesday,  July  7.  Immediately  a  motion 
was  made  to  postpone  action  until  the  third — 
the  final — day,  "to  give  time  for  considera- 
tion." The  only  speech  made  by  the  friends 
of  the  measure  was  from  the  chairman  of  the 
committee  in  opposition  to  postponement.  The 
motion  was  lost.  A  resolution  was  adopted 
limiting  each  person  to  one  speech  of  five 
minutes  on  each  section  of  the  resolution.  It 
soon  became  evident  that  the  opposition  pro- 
posed to  kill  the  movement  by  continually 
offering  amendments,  substitutes,  etc.,  and 
speaking  on  each  until  time  for  final  adjourn- 
ment. The  chairman  nipped  this  plan  in  the 
43 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


bud  by  ruling  that  a  person  who  had  spoken 
on  any  phase  of  a  section  had  made  the  only 
speech  to  which  he  was  entitled  while  that  sec- 
tion was  under  consideration.  The  speaking — 
all  one-sided — continued  to  near  the  close  of 
Wednesday  afternoon.  Each  section  was 
adopted  without  change.  When  the  vote  on 
No.  7  was  announced,  a  brother  began  the 
song,  "All  Hail  the  Power  of  Jesus'  Name." 
Bro.  Charles  Carlton  arose,  tears  and  smiles 
mingling,  motioned  the  company  to  arise,  and 
led  the  song  to  the  close.  The  next  issue  of 
the  Christian  Preacher  said  of  this  song  and 
of  the  singers :  ' '  They  sang  as  lustily  as  niggers 
at  a  corn-shucking,  while  good  men  and  women 
sat  and  wept." 

Something  like  twenty-five  hundred  dollars 
was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Board.  A.  J. 
Bush  was  chosen  as  our  first  Corresponding 
Secretary.  He  served  with  efficiency  for  about 
nine  years. 

There  is  another  chapter  connected  with 
this  history  which  must  not  be  left  unrecorded. 
Following  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions,  W. 
H.  D.  Carrington  called  for  all  "who  wish  to 
do  missionary  work  on  the  Scriptural  basis" 
to  meet  him  in  the  basement  of  the  church 
immediately.  The  convention  adjourned  for 
the  afternoon,  and  we  who  favored  such  mis- 
sionary work  as  Brother  Carrington  had  de- 
44 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


scribed  repaired  to  the  basement.  I  say  "we," 
because  I  have  always  favored  Scriptural  work. 
I  was  a  part  of  the  work  which  had  been 
started,  and,  if  there  was  other  such  work  to  be 
done,  I  wanted  a  share  in  it.  Hence  I  went 
to  the  basement  with  others,  doing  so  over  the 
protest  of  many  of  my  brethren.  But,  why 
should  I  not  be  there?  And  I  was.  Brother 
Carrington  and  Brother  Tant  were  selected, 
respectively,  chairman  and  secretary.  I  asked 
if  I  were  permitted  to  enroll  as  a  member. 
The  reply  from  the  chairman  was  in  substance : 
"Yes,  if  you  are  willing  to  contribute  finan- 
cially to  the  work."  Thus,  those  brethren,  at 
their  first  step,  went  beyond  anything  which 
we  had  done,  in  that  they  placed  their  mem- 
bership on  a  money  basis.  I  made  my  pledge, 
and  was  thus  initiated.  The  assembly  ad- 
journed to  meet  in  Weather  ford  a  few  weeks 
later.  As  I  recall  the  incident  now,  those 
brethren  only  pledged  one  or  two  hundred 
dollars  for  their  work,  and  this  was  never  paid, 
as  no  work  was  ever  attempted.  Only  a  very 
few  persons  attended  the  next  gathering  at 
Weatherford,  and  those  adjourned  to  meet 
with  the  "First  Christian  Church"  of  Dallas 
at  the  same  time  we  were  to  meet  with  the 
"Commerce  Street  Church"  of  the  same  city. 
The  two  "conventions"  assembled.  C.  M. 
Wilmeth,  R.  M.  Gano,  W.  H.  Lemmon  and 
45 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


R.  C.  Horn  were  the  prominent  ones  of  the 
First  Church  assembly.  W.  K.  Azbill  was 
present,  attending  sessions  of  both  bodies.  His 
laudable  purpose  was  reconciliation.  At  his 
instance,  each  body  appointed  a  committee 
for  conference.  After  hours  of  consideration, 
a  report  was  agreed  to.  This  was  adopted  by 
both  bodies.  The  agreement  was,  in  substance, 
for  a  union  of  the  two  upon  the  basis  that  the 
annual  gathering  should  be  known  as  a  "meet- 
ing ' '  rather  than  a  ' '  convention ' ' ;  the  '  •  Exec- 
utive Board"  should  give  place  to  a  "com- 
mittee," and  those  participating  should  be 
known  as  "messengers."  C.  M.  Wilrneth  voted 
"No"  in  one  of  the  assemblies,  and  J.  D.  Car- 
ter, S.  Y.  Trice  and  I  did  the  same  in  the 
other.  The  following  forenoon  was  named  as 
the  time  for  the  united  body  to  assemble  in 
the  Commerce  Street  Church.  R.  M.  Gano, 
W.  H.  Lemmon  and  R.  C.  Horn  came — no 
others.  Brother  Lemmon,  a  noble  Christian 
business  man,  died  soon  after ;  Brother  Gano 
met  with  us  the  next  year  for  the  last  time ; 
Brother  Horn  is  with  the  work,  and  has  stood 
by  it  loyally  through  the  thirty-one  years 
which  have  elapsed. 

Our  State  conventions  have  met  as  follows 
since  that  time :  Austin,  1886  j  Dallas,  1887 ; 
Waco.  1888;  Fort  Worth.  1889;  Taylor,  1890; 
Dallas,  1891 ;  Dallas,  1892  ;  Terrell,  1893  ;  Hills- 
46 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


boro,  1894;  Gainesville,  1895;  Austin,  1896 
(this  in  celebration  of  the  first  decade)  ;  Waco, 
1897;  McKinney,  1898;  Fort  Worth,  1899; 
Paris,  1900  ;  Waco,  1901 ;  Dallas,  1902  ;  Mineral 
Wells,  1903;  Greenville,  1904;  Waco,  1905; 
Waxahachie,  1906;  Fort  Worth,  1907;  Thorp 
Spring,  1908;  Corsicana,  1909;  Dallas,  1910; 
Fort  Worth,  1911 ;  Houston,  1912 ;  San  Angelo, 
1913;  Gainesville,  1914;  Dallas,  1915;  Waco, 
1916;  Austin,  1917;  Sherman,  1918;  Paris, 
1919.  The  announcement  is  that  the  conven- 
tion will  go  to  Galveston  this  year — 1920. 
Neither  A.  J.  Bush  nor  Chalmers  McPherson 
has  been  absent  from  either  of  the  thirty-four 
consecutive  conventions,  and  both  are  planning, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  to  attend  the  one  to  be 
held  at  Galveston  in  May,  1920. 

The  following  brethren  have  served  as  Cor- 
responding Secretary — now  known  as  "Super- 
intendent of  Missions"— in  Texas: 

A.  J.  Bush  was  the  first  of  the  list.  For 
several  years  he  had  dreamed  and  spoken  and 
written  and  hoped  for  something  which  might 
mean  a  forward  advance  in  the  work  of  primi- 
tive Christianity  in  his  adopted  State.  He 
was  at  the  first  gathering  where  this  work  was 
inaugurated,  and  was  active  in  its  accomplish- 
ment. When  the  committee  began  to  look  for 
the  proper  man  to  inaugurate  the  work,  all 
eyes  turned  to  him,  and  no  other  person  was, 

47 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


perhaps,  suggested.  For  nine  years  he  labored 
most  faithfully,  and  organized  work  multiplied 
its  friends  rapidly.  Some  time  after  his  resig- 
nation, a  work  which  had  been  inaugurated, 
but  little  more  than  this  having  been  done, 
the  caring  for  orphans,  was  appealing  more 
and  more  to  the  brethren.  A  farm  had  been 
secured  and  held  for  this  purpose,  near  Thorp 
Spring,  for  a  few  years  previously,  but  this 
was  not  considered  the  best  place  for  perma- 
nency. Again  Brother  Bush  was  called  upon 
to  lead  in  a  great  enterprise,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  he  did  so  with  marked  success.  The 
result  is  that  which  we  now  have  in  the  Homes 
for  the  children  and  for  the  aged  in  Dallas. 
This  splendid  advancement  in  the  time  required 
for  its  accomplishment  was  made  possible  by 
the  legacy  of  Mrs.  Juliette  Fowler,  of  Dallas, 
who  left  lands  and  money  for  this  purpose. 
The  Homes  bear  her  name  as  a  monument 
to  her  gift  and  memory.  Sister  Fowler  died 
a  number  of  years  ago.  Brother  Bush  is  still 
with  us,  and  at  work  for  the  Master.  He  has 
attained,  perhaps,  the  age  of  seventy-three. 

B.  B.  Sanders  led  the  work  for  a  con- 
siderable while.  Before  accepting  the  leader- 
ship of  Texas  Missions,  he  served,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  State  Board,  as  an  evangelist. 
Churches  were  established,  and  many  persons 
obeyed  their  Lord.  When  he  assumed  the 
48 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


leadership,  he  brought  ripe  experience  and  de- 
votion to  his  task.  Perhaps  no  man  among  us 
in  the  State  ever  had  a  larger  number  of  ex- 
ceedingly close  friends  than  he.  He  was  one 
of  the  strong  preachers  of  the  brotherhood. 
I  remember  hearing  one  of  his  sermons;  the 
subject  was  "Embodiment."  He  was  my 
guest,  and  we  spoke  to  each  other  with  perfect 
freedom.  In  the  home  circle,  I  said  in  jest: 
"Sanders,  confess.  Where  did  you  steal  that 
sermon  ? ' '  He  laughed  most  heartily,  and  said  : 
"I'll  tell  the  truth.  Brother  [I  have  forgotten 
the  name]  and  I  were  sitting  on  a  log  in 
Florida,  and  he  gave  me  the  thought."  At 
once  I  proceeded  to  follow  his  example,  and 
many  times  I  preached  the  same  thing;  perhaps 
with  less  power  than  did  Sanders.  Brother 
Sanders  has  gone  to  his  reward,  the  only  one 
of  the  leaders  in  this  work  who  is  not  still 
with  us. 

J.  W.  Holsapple — I  may  not  give  the  list 
in  order — began  the  work  following  the  great 
convention  which  was  held  in  Gainesville, 
where  he  was,  at  the  time,  pastor.  Holsapple 
had  had  experience,  if  I  mistake  not,  in  the 
missionary  work  of  Kentucky  prior  to  his  com- 
ing to  the  State.  He  rendered  excellent  service 
during  the  years  of  his  administration,  and 
has,  ever  since,  been  a  loyal  supporter.  I  have 
not  the  reports  of  the  different  years  at  com- 
4  49 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


rrtand,  and  can  not  give  such  reports  as  I 
should  be  glad  to  present,  but  all  these  men  did 
faithful  work. 

G.  S.  Kimberly  was  an  employee  of  the 
Board  for  one  year.  A  suitable  man  was  being 
sought,  and  no  one  in  Texas  who  was  con- 
sidered as  the  right  man  was  available.  It 
was  tendered  to  several  who  were  at  the  time 
in  the  State,  but  these  declined  the  offers.  The 
committee  wrote  to  Bro.  F.  M.  Rains,  and 
asked  advice.  He  recommended  Brother  Kim- 
berly, who  was  an  entire  stranger  to  the 
brotherhood.  He  was  called,  and  accepted. 
After  trying  the  work  for  a  brief  time,  he 
resigned.  His  home  is  now,  I  think,  in  the 
southern  portion  of  the  State. 

J.  C.  Mason  has  been  called  "The  War- 
horse  of  Texas  Disciples."  This  must  not  be 
taken  as  meaning  that  he  is  pugilistic  in  his 
ways,  as  he  is  not.  He  is  forceful,  brainy, 
persevering,  gentle,  Christian.  I  was  thrown 
in  very  close  relationship  with  him  during  his 
years  of  service,  being  a  member  of  the  State 
Board  during  the  time.  Frequently  we  dif- 
fered as  to  policies;  we  never  differed  in 
brotherly  relations.  I  was  always  glad  to  have 
him  in  my  home,  and  was  a  frequent  guest 
in  his.  When  his  dear  wife  was  called  to  her 
final  home,  I  was  called  from  Fort  Worth  to 
lead  the  funeral  services.  I  have  a  letter  be- 
50 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


fore  nie  of  very  recent  date  from  which  I  take 
the  liberty  to  quote:  "Very  often  I  think  of 
the  patient,  faithful  work  which  you  have 
given  to  our  common  cause.  I  knew  that  you 
were  unselfish  in  your  desire  to  see  the  cause 
of  Christ  in  Texas  succeed.  Even  when  we 
differed,  as  we  often  did,  I  felt  sure  that  you, 
were  honest,  and  I  was  right.  I  think  that 
we  can  say,  without  egotism,  we  have  laid  the 
foundation  and  others  build  thereon."  In  the 
same  letter  he  spoke  of  his  work  as  Superin- 
tendent of  Missions,  and  said:  "In  1912  our 
men  raised  $67,000  for  Texas  Missions.  We 
passed  the  $50,000  mark  each  year  from  1909 
to  1914.  A  few  well-meaning  brethren  talked 
of  'padded  reports,'  but  these  reports  were 
made  on  the  basis  laid  down  by  the  A.  C. 
M.  S.,  on  blanks  furnished  by  the  Home  Board, 
and  were  all  on  the  square."  Speaking  per- 
sonally, he  said:  "January  10  next  [the  letter 
was  dated  December  29,  1919]  will  bring  me 
to  my  seventy-fifth  anniversary.  I  am  em- 
ployed regularly  as  pastor  by  the  Bald  Knob 
and  Forrest  City  Churches,  Arkansas."  Mason 
will  live  till  he  dies,  and  work  while  he  lives. 

A.  D.  Rogers  succeeded  Brother  Mason  in 
the  work,  and  served  for  several  years.  I  have 
known  this  faithful  servant  of  the  Lord  for 
years.  When  he  served  as  District  Evangelist 
for  years,  I  was  a  member  of  the  Board,  ami 
51 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


knew  his  work  from  the  inside.  I  counted  him 
as  one  of  the  men  who  accomplished  things. 
During  the  days  of  his  service  under  the  State 
Board,  some  thought  that  he  was  perhaps  mis- 
understood, and,  hence,  did  not  receive  the 
credit  which  was  due  his  labors.  Certainly 
he  did  not  have  the  co-operation  which  he 
needed  from  some  of  the  churches  of  the  State, 
and  no  man  can  do  his  best  without  this.  If 
I  were  to  offer  a  criticism  on  my  brethren 
concerning  their  relation  to  the  various  efforts 
at  co-operation  in  Texas,  it  would  be  that  far 
too  many  of  us  have  held  hands  off  when  the 
men  at  the  helm  were  not  working  along  the 
lines  which  we  thought  to  be  the  ideals.  Cer- 
tainly there  is  to  be  no  compromise  as  to  the 
message  or  the  work,  but,  in  the  presenting 
of  the  one  and  the  furthering  of  the  other, 
there  is  large  room  for  both  charity  and  com- 
promise. Perhaps  the  plans  of  the  "other 
fellow"  may  not  be  nearly  so  wise  as  are  our 
own,  but  even  a  poorer  plan  can  be  made,  with 
hearty  and  cheerful  co-operation,  more  efficient 
than  a  better  one  without  it.  But  I  did  not 
intend  to  moralize  here;  it  just  "said  itself," 
and  what  is  written  is  written. 

J.  B.  Holmes  succeeded  Brother  Rogers. 
We  are  now  in  modern  history,  and  I  shall  not 
devote  space  to  this  more  than  to  say  that  we 
have,  in  Holmes,  one  who  is  firm  in  his  faith 
52 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


in  the  verities  of  the  gospel;  wise  in  his  in- 
sight into  the  needs  of  the  field  and  how  to 
meet  them;  persistent  when  difficulties  present 
themselves,  even  when  they  appear  for  a  time 
to  be  insurmountable;  courteous  in  his  dealings 
with  all,  whether  they  be  of  or  against  his 
way  of  thinking;  Christian  in  his  thought  and 
life.  He  is  making  a  splendid  success,  if  I 
have  the  right  sort  of  a  measuring-rod.  May 
he  stick  to  the  job  for  many  years  to  come. 

Before  this  bit  of  history  closes,  one  must 
be  mentioned  who,  though  never  one  of  the 
superintendents  of  missions,  was  in  reality  our 
first  of  all  leaders  in  directing  our  organized 
work  in  the  field — James  H.  Rosecrans.  As 
stated  elsewhere,  our  first  organized  work  in 
the  State  was  that  of  Bible  schools,  and  Rose- 
crans was  the  first  man  employed.  He  served 
in  this  capacity  for  four  years.  The  work  is 
mentioned  in  another  place,  but  a  few  words 
here  concerning  the  man  will  not  be  deemed 
amiss.  Everywhere  he  went  he  came  to  be 
known  as  "Rosey. "  Every  one  who  learned 
to  know  him,  loved  him  more  and  more  as 
acquaintance  grew.  All  the  children  flocked 
about  him  and  were  never  rebuffed.  His  songs 
have  been  sung  in  thousands  of  services,  and 
imbedded  in  hearts  innumerable  His  last  work 
in  Texas  was  with  Carlton  College,  where  he 
taught  the  Bible  for  several  years — and  he 
53 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


taught  the  Bible.  He  was  and  is  a  strong 
preacher,  always  speaking  the  truth,  and  doing 
so  in  love.  The  home  always  brightened  still 
more  when  "Rosey"  was  within.  He  is  now 
on  his  farm  near  Breakabeen,  Schoharie  Coun- 
ty, New  York.  The  only  really  serious  offciu- 
of  which  I  ever  knew  Rosecrans  to  be  guilty 
was  in  his  having  such  a  post-office  address 
as  that.  Whenever  I  write  it,  I  either  guess 
at  it  or  look  it  up  in  the  geography,  and  then 
generally  miss  the  spelling. 

The  articles  by  Brethren  Holmes  and  Hut- 
ton  give  the  more  modern  history  of  Texas 
Missions. 


54 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


TEXAS  MISSIONS  ENLARGING 

J.  B.  HOLMES,  Superintendent  of  Missions 

THE  writer  is  very  poorly  prepared  to  give, 
as  requested,  a  sketch  of  Texas  Missions 
even  under  the  administration  of  his  two  pred- 
ecessors in  office.  The  records  on  file  are  very 
meager  and  incomplete,  and,  aside  from  this 
fact,  I  simply  can  not  find  the  time  for  proper 
research.  The  suggestion  of  Brother  McPherson 
that  I  write  in  "general  terms"  is,  therefore, 
very  welcome. 

On  June  10,  1903,  Bro.  J.  C.  Mason  began 
his  service  as  Superintendent  of  Missions.  He 
continued  in  office  for  eleven  years.  The 
financial  records  for  this  period  are  fairly  com- 
plete, but  it  would  take  weeks  of  time  for  one 
to  discover  just  what  part  of  the  money  was 
for  "service  rendered."  and  what  part  was 
given  by  churches  and  individuals  directly  for 
State  Missions.  During  the  years  1905,  1906 
and  1907,  Brother  Mason  published  Texas  Mis- 
sions, a  splendid  little  monthly,  in  which  may 
be  found  detailed  information  for  that  period, 
but  for  the  most  part  we  are  forced  to  depend 
upon  our  personal  knowledge  of  the  work  done. 
55 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Evangelism  was  especially  stressed.  Summer 
campaigns,  meetings  conducted  by  pastors  who 
volunteered  for  the  work,  and  campaigns  con- 
ducted by  evangelists,  were  the  order  of  the 
day.  Probably  more  meetings  were  held,  more 
people  were  baptized,  and  more  congregations 
were  organized  then,  than  in  any  period  of 
our  history.  The  genial  smile  and  hopeful 
spirit  of  J.  C.  Mason  won  friends  everywhere, 
and  in  every  nook  and  corner  of  this  great 
state  there  are  disciples  who  never  tire  of 
singing  the  praise  of  this  good  man  who  gave 
the  best  years  of  his  life  to  this  work. 

The  administration  of  Brother  Rogers 
covers  a  rather  unsettled,  restless  period.  He 
began  June  6,  1914,  and  served  three  years 
and  one  month.  The  Auditor's  report  shows 
that  he  collected  a  total  of  but  $15,757.50 
strictly  for  missions,  and  that  the  total  amount 
handled  was  a  little  less  than  $30,000,  in- 
cluding all  other  receipts.  There  seems  to  have 
been  several  hundred  dollars  of  debt  when  he 
began,  but  the  record  is  very  indefinite.  No 
man  could  succeed  with  such  meager  financial 
support.  Brother  Rogers  continued  to  stress 
evangelism,  and  especially  emphasized  the 
"doing  of  the  work  by  districts";  he  sought 
to  have  a  District  Superintendent  over  each  of 
the  ten  districts.  Seventy-five  per  cent,  of  the 
money  raised  was  to  be  expended  in  the  district 
56 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


from  which  it  came.  This  system,  coupled 
with  the  meager  financial  support  given, 
seemed  to  force  the  men  employed  as  District 
Superintendents  and  Evangelists,  to  become 
practically  "financial  agents,"  and  left  the 
impression  with  many  that  their  first  and 
foremost  duty  was  the  collection  of  enough  to 
pay  their  own  salaries.  And  yet,  in  spite  of 
these  and  other  handicaps,  much  good  work 
was  done.  I  note  that  in  1915-17  nineteen 
churches  were  organized,  and  more  than  sixteen 
hundred  were  added  to  our  membership. 
Brother  Rogers  raised  much  of  his  salary  by 
holding  meetings  himself.  He  turned  over  to 
me  $676.64  in  cash,  and  debts  amounting  to 
about  $3,000 — some  of  which  was  covered  by 
pledges  due  our  society.  Nearly  half  the 
amount  of  the  debt  was  collected  from  pledges 
received  from  Brother  Rogers,  but  it  cost  us 
fully  fifty  cents  on  each  dollar  to  make  the 
collections.  For  some  reason,  Brother  Rogers 
did  not  secure  the  full  co-operation  of  the 
Texas  brotherhood,  and  no  man  could  succeed 
without  it.  I  marvel  that  he  did  as  well  as 
he  did. 

More  or  less  of  uncertainty  comes  with  each 
change  in  leadership.  The  church  desires  to 
know  something  of  the  methods  of  work  as 
well  as  the  objects  to  be  attained,  before  giving 
very  generous  support;  at  any  rate,  I  found  it 
57 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


so.  On  account  of  the  debts,  a  number  of  thos'> 
employed  under  the  administration  of  Brother 
Rogers  resigned,  either  just  before  or  soon 
after  he  closed  his  work.  Our  constituency 
■was  discouraged,  and  money  came  in  very 
slowly  for  several  months.  We  only  raised, 
in  actual  missionary  money,  $9,330.19  by  the 
close  of  our  first  convention  year.  Only  a  few 
of  the  former  employees  remained  with  us. 
Among  these  were  A.  K.  Scott,  who  has  served 
our  Board  for  fourteen  years,  and  G.  N. 
Weaver,  who  also  has  a  long  period  of  credit- 
able work  back  of  him.  Brother  Scott  has 
assisted  in  erecting  some  church  houses  during 
this  time.  During  the  last  year  of  Brother 
Rogers'  administration,  the  writer  was  asked 
to  serve  as  superintendent  of  the  Galveston 
District,  while  at  the  same  time  serving  as  the 
missionary  pastor  of  the  Galveston  Church. 
After  making  a  careful  survey  of  that  field, 
the  situation  was  placed  before  that  splendid 
Christian  business  man  and  creditable  "lay 
preacher,"  Bro.  A.  D.  Milroy,  of  Brenham, 
Texas.  He  readily  agreed  to  put  $100  per 
month  back  of  a  pastor  evangelist  for  this  dis- 
trict, and  in  October  of  1916  Bro.  Albert  T. 
Fitts  was  employed.  This  arrangement  is  still 
in  operation,  and  as  a  result  the  district,  as 
a  whole,  is  probably  in  the  best  condition  of 
any  in  Texas.  The  method  of  work  is  no 
58 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


longer  an  experiment,  but  has  proven  the  best 
way  to  meet  the  present  need,  and  is  our  chief 
method  of  working  to-day.  Of  course  the  pecu- 
liar conditions  of  each  field  must  be  met,  but 
as  we  have  developed  the  plan  it  may  be  out- 
lined in  general  terms  as  follows :  The  pastor 
evangelist  must  himself  be  a  man  of  consecra- 
tion, in  whom  the  usual  abilities  of  both  pastor 
and  evangelist  blend.  As  a  rule,  he  will  be 
sent  to  some  pastorless  field.  Beginning  with 
a  survey  of  the  field,  he  is  expected  to  build 
up  the  attendance  of  the  church  and  its  aux- 
iliaries ;  to  organize,  or  reorganize,  same  as  may 
be  needed,  and,  after  due  preparation,  to  con- 
duct evangelistic  services.  He  is  then  to  put 
on  the  Every-member  Canvass  for  both  current 
local  expenses  and  world-wide  missions,  intro- 
ducing the  Duplex  envelope  and  budget  system. 
He  is  still  to  remain  on  the  field  until  a  pastor 
is  called  and  placed  in  charge.  This  method 
has  been  made  all  the  more  necessary  by  the 
intense  evangelism  of  the  past,  which  left  us 
with  nearly  three  hundred  struggling,  pastor- 
less  congregations.  These  congregations  con- 
stitute at  least  one-third  of  our  strength  in 
the  State.  They  are  capable  of  supporting  at 
least  one  hundred  more  pastors,  and  of  in- 
creasing our  missionary  offerings  for  all  causes 
at  least  25  per  cent.  It  will  take  fifty  pastor 
evangelists  five  years  to  meet  this  need,  that 
59 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  needy  churches  already  started  may  become 
permanent  evangelizing  agencies  in  their  local 
communities,  and  may  form  the  proper  base 
of  supplies  for  the  evangelization  of  the  world. 
Most  of  the  men  now  employed  are  of  the 
pastor-evangelist  type,  and  yet  we  do  not  mean 
to  neglect  the  old-time  evangelism  from  which 
came  most  of  our  growth. 

Bro.  J.  W.  Holsapple  is  now  employed  to 
give  all  his  time  to  evangelism,  and  he  is  doing 
this  work  with  marked  success,  while  there  is 
a  conspicuous  absence  of  anything  of  the  sen- 
sational type. 

We  began  the  present  missionary  year 
April  5,  1919,  with  all  debts  paid,  and  a 
balance  in  war-savings  stamps,  bonds,  and  cash 
on  hand  amounting  to  $5,641.73.  The  largest 
individual  church  offering,  not  including  in- 
dividual gifts,  in  1917-18  was  $347,  paid  by 
the  First  Christian  Church  of  Fort  Worth. 
In  1918-19  the  largest  regular  offering  was 
again  made  by  this  congregation,  the  amount 
being  $450.  It  should  be  said,  however,  that 
Central  Church.  Dallas,  gave  $603.56,  and  East 
Dallas,  $780,  when  their  offerings  to  City  Mis- 
sions are  included;  and  that  Central  Church, 
Austin,  is  credited  with  $950  from  the  offer- 
ings of  the  Reed  brothers;  and,  further,  that, 
including  the  offerings  of  A.  D.  Milroy,  in 
support  of  Brother  Fitts.  the  Brenham  Church 
60 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


is  credited  with  $1,250.  No  one  yet  knows 
what  this  year's  record  will  be,  but  up  to  date 
there  are  more  than  twenty  churches  that  have 
subscribed  $1,000  or  more  each,  if  they  are  to 
be  credited  with  what  they  have  given  through 
the  co-operative  campaign  in  which  Texas  Mis- 
sions is  interested. 

We  are  also  beginning  the  work  of  evan- 
gelizing our  cities.  Dallas  has  made  a  good 
start  in  the  employment  of  E.  T.  McFarland 
as  city  evangelist.  Houston  and  San  Antonio 
are  already  organized  for  the  task,  and  our 
Board  expects  to  join  them  in  employing  men. 
No  doubt  Fort  Worth  and  other  cities  will  soon 
fall  in  line. 

We  have  long  neglected  the  rural  problems. 
We  can  probably  meet  this  need  best  by  the 
employment  of  county  evangelists  in  counties 
where  we  have  a  number  of  country  churches, 
most  of  which  are  pastorless.  There  are 
probably  fifty  counties  that  would  raise  half 
the  support  necessary  for  the  employment  of 
such  a  man,  but  in  one  way  or  another,  by 
direct  designation  or  suggestion  as  to  the  use 
of  the  offerings  made,  for  the  most  part  our 
funds  come  to  us  already  committed  to  certain 
uses,  and  we  have  not  been  able  to  enter  this 
needy  field.  It  seems  our  only  hope  of  meeting 
this  need  will  be  in  the  raising  of  an  endow- 
ment fund. 

61 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


To  meet  this  need  of  rural  evangelism,  and 
to  meet  the  overhead  expenses  of  our  organized 
work  so  that  every  dollar  contributed  may  be 
spent  in  actual  missionary  work,  we  are  hoping 
soon  to  enter  a  campaign  to  raise  not  less  than 
a  half-million  dollars  for  endowment.  Such  a 
fund  would  give  us  an  independent  income 
of  from  $25,000  to  *30,000,  and  could  be  used 
so  as  to  produce  double  the  amount  in  the  field. 

The  last  State  Convention  appointed  a  com- 
mittee for  the  revision  of  the  Constitution,  and 
also  named  a  committee  of  two  to  incorporate 
the  State  Convention,  that  permanent  funds 
may  be  handled  to  better  advantage. 

We  are  now  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of 
our  history  as  an  organized  missionary  agency. 
Our  people  seem  only  now  to  be  awakening 
to  the  necessity  of  caring  adequately  for  the 
base  of  supplies.  The  future  success  of  our 
world-wide  enterprises  depends  on  how  effi- 
ciently our  State  organizations  function.  We 
must  evangelize  and  develop  Texas,  not  for 
Texas  alone,  but  for  the  sake  of  the  world. 
The  future  looks  bright.  There  is  no  strife 
or  dissension  among  us.  In  the  judgment  of 
all  who  have  spoken  to  me,  the  work  is  well 
organized.  We  are  employing  the  best  men 
we  can  secure  for  their  given  tasks.  It  now 
looks  as  if,  for  the  first  time  in  the  history 
of  Texas  Missions,  we  are  going  to  have  suffi- 
62 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


cient  money  to  meet  the  normal  needs,  and  if 
our  endowment  campaign  succeeds,  we  are  cer- 
tain of  that  much-desired  condition.  We  hail 
this  good  day  with  delight,  and  desire  to  ex- 
press our  profound  gratitude  to  all  who  have 
joined  in  making  this  situation  possible.  We 
are  entering  a  new  era ;  may  it  indeed  be  a 
period  of  worthy  victory  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord,  to  whom  be  all  the  praise. 


63 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


TEXAS  BIBLE-SCHOOL  WORK 


1  work  dates  back  to  the  superintendency 
of  J.  H.  Rosecrans.  About  1893-4  the  work 
was  under  the  leadership  of  Bob  Banton. 
Further  than  these  two  statements  the  writer 
does  not  have  at  hand  any  definite  information 
concerning  the  work  until  the  State  Convention 
in  1910,  when  Edward  Owers,  then  pastor  at 
Graham,  was  chosen  to  give  full  time.  In 
this  position  he  served  faithfully  and  efficiently 
until  August,  1912.  He  began  the  work  with- 
out records  or  even  a  list  of  schools,  but  left 
the  work  with  a  reasonably  accurate  record 
of  the  schools  and  their  leadership.  To  these 
he  had  imparted  higher  ideals  in  religious 
education. 

Following  the  services  of  Brother  Owers, 
the  work  was  without  leadership  until  January, 
1913,  when  W.  A.  Boggess,  then  general  evan- 
gelist under  the  State  Board,  was  called  to 
take  up  the  work.  He  had  only  been  in  the 
work  about  five  weeks  when  his  health  failed, 
and  he  was  never  able  to  take  up  the  field 


S.  W.  HUTTON 


Texas  Bible-school 


04 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


work  again.  He  served  as  far  as  strength 
would  permit  until  the  State  Convention  in 
May,  when  his  resignation  was  accepted.  He 
departed  this  life  July  9,  1913,  just  a  few  days 
after  the  present  superintendent  began  active 
direction  of  the  Bible-school  work. 

Briefly  stated,  the  purpose  of  this  form  of 
service  is  to  increase  the  efficiency  and  broaden 
the  vision  of  our  Bible-school  leadership,  as 
well  as  the  whole  church  constituency,  along 
the  line  of  elementary  religious  education.  To 
accomplish  the  desired  end,  we  have  been  en- 
deavoring to  serve  through  rallies,  promotion 
of  teacher-training  and  missionary  instruction, 
upholding  the  Standard  of  Efficiency,  prepar- 
ing exhibits  for  the  State  Convention,  urging 
the  adoption  of  Graded  Lessons,  stressing  evan- 
gelism, and  seeking,  through  distribution  of 
leaflets,  books  and  other  means,  to  stimulate 
the  schools  to  go  forward  in  their  task. 

Since  July,  1913,  this  work  has  been  sup- 
ported through  the  Bible  School  Department 
of  the  American  Christian  Missionary  Society, 
through  offerings  received  from  Bible  schools, 
and  has  been  under  the  direction  of  a  com- 
mittee of  five,  the  majority  of  whom  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Texas  State  Missionary  Board.  L. 
D.  Anderson,  Fort  Worth,  has  been  chairman 
of  this  committee  for  several  years,  and  with 
him  at  the  present  time  E.  C.  Boynton,  Colby 
5  65 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


D.  Hall,  J.  W.  Kerns  and  H.  R.  Ford  are 
associated.  It  is  a  pleasure  to  serve  with 
these  men,  and  with  Robt.  M.  Hopkins,  General 
Bible-school  Secretary,  Cincinnati. 

In  1914  the  Southwestern  District  was 
created,  which  includes  Arkansas  and  Louisiana 
in  addition  to  Texas,  giving  a  territory  twelve 
hundred  miles  across  two  ways.  Since  the 
above  date  the  writer  has  endeavored  to  serve 
as  superintendent  of  this  enlarged  territory, 
with  a  Bible-school  enrollment  of  sixty-five 
thousand. 

The  policy  of  the  Bible  School  Department 
of  the  American  Christian  Missionary  Society 
provides  for  a  specialist  within  reach  of  every 
school  in  the  brotherhood.  This  is  now  an 
achievement  so  far  as  the  United  States  is 
concerned,  and  for  the  first  time  every  State 
in  the  Union  is  provided  for  through  a  corps, 
thirty-one  men  and  women  giving  full-time 
service.  Canada  and  Alaska  are  now  prac- 
tically neglected  territories.  Additional  work- 
ers are  sorely  needed. 

Volunteer  district  and  county  superintend- 
ents have  rendered  valuable  service  in  the 
Texas  work  since  1915,  among  whom  the  names 
of  Edward  Owers,  John  C.  Welch,  0.  Alvin 
Smith,  and  others,  should  be  mentioned  with 
an  expression  of  gratitude  for  their  valued 
services. 

66 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


Three  divisional  superintendents  have 
served  faithfully  and  well,  when  time  would 
permit,  since  the  1917  State  Convention.  This 
group  of  three  are  Mrs.  D.  C.  Mangum,  Ele- 
mentary ;  J.  C.  Welch,  Secondary,  and  P.  F. 
Herndon,  Adult. 

An  outstanding  service  rendered  during 
the  past  five  years  has  been  the  holding  of 
twenty-five  schools  of  methods,  enrolling  1,404 
students,  representing  317  Bible  schools,  and 
graduating  535  leaders.  Of  these  1,404  stu- 
dents, 153  were  ministers,  73  superintendents, 
87  departmental  superintendents,  95  other 
officers,  539  teachers  and  457  pupils. 

For  several  years  prior  to  the  1918  State 
Convention  in  Sherman,  the  conviction  had 
been  growing  among  Bible-school  leaders  in 
Texas  that  a  Chair  of  Religious  Education 
should  be  established  and  maintained  in  Texas 
Christian  University.  While  our  ministerial 
students,  and  other  students,  were  making 
good,  it  seemed  imperative  that  they  be  trained 
in  practical  Bible-school  service. 

After  a  meeting  of  the  State  Bible-school 
committee  together  with  Robt.  M.  Hopkins, 
plans  were  consummated,  and  in  the  Sherman 
Convention  tentative  pledges  were  secured 
from  schools  amounting  to  nearly  $15,000  on 
the  basis  of  five  annual  payments,  and  in  view 
of  the  creation  of  a  $30,000  Endowment  Fund. 
67 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


A  large  share  of  the  Southwestern  Bible-school 
Superintendent's  time  during  the  following 
year  was  given  to  personal  visitation  of  Bible 
schools  in  securing  definite  pledges  toward  the 
end  mentioned.  With  the  closing  of  the  Paris 
Convention  (1919),  pledges  totaled  nearly 
$27,000.  Other  pledges  have  been  secured  since 
that  time,  until  at  the  present  writing  140 
schools  and  nineteen  individuals  have  registered 
fellowship  in  this  enterprise  through  cash  and 
pledges  amounting  to  about  $27,500.  With  the 
completion  of  the  $350,000  co-operative  cam- 
paign, and  the  securing  of  a  few  other  pledges 
from  schools,  the  total  pledge  of  $30,000  is 
practically  assured.  When  this  work  is  es- 
tablished, all  students  entering  Texas  Christian 
University  will  have  access  to  a  practical  and 
profitable  training  that  will  fit  them  for  re- 
ligious educational  work  in  the  local  church. 
Nearly  $6,000  has  been  collected  on  the  pledges 
to  date. 

During  these  nearly  seven  years  national 
workers  and  volunteer  State  workers  have  been 
associated  with  the  writer  in  recording  the 
progress  mentioned  above.  For  two  years  the 
contract  included  the  services  of  Mrs.  S.  W. 
Hutton.  The  past  two  years  we  have  had 
efficient  stenographic  help  for  a  few  hours 
each  month  in  the  persons  of  S.  J.  Shettles- 
worth  and  Miss  Lelia  Jolle,  students  in  Texas 
68 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


Christian  University.  An  imperative  need  just 
now  is  that  of  one  or  more  additional  work- 
ers. We  hope  soon  to  announce  the  employ- 
ment of  an  Elementary  specialist,  who  will 
render  both  field  and  office  service.  Our  plans 
for  the  future  include  the  employment  of  a 
Secondary  Division  •  specialist  and  full-time 
office  help,  in  order  that  we  may  adequately 
meet  the  heavy  demands  for  efficient  Bible- 
school  service. 

Offerings  from  Texas  schools,  the  field  and 
individuals  have  increased  during  seven  years 
from  $546  to  approximately  $3,000  annually. 
The  Texas  aim  for  the  present  year  is  $5,000. 
The  national  goal  is  $100,000. 

The  last  annual  report  of  the  Southwestern 
Superintendent  reveals  the  following  facts : 
Schools  visited,  281 ;  addresses  given,  213 ;  con- 
ferences held,  215 ;  conventions  attended,  26 ; 
schools  represented,  455 ;  training  diplomas 
issued,  13 ;  letters  writen,  5,725 ;  leaflets  dis- 
tributed, 15,411;  miles  traveled,  20,754;  field 
and  office  expense,  $995.20 ;  expense  offerings, 
$781.12;  school  offerings  (Texas),  $2,053.21. 

The  State  Program  of  Work  for  1919-20  is 
exhibited  here  to  give  readers  of  this  article 
a  general  survey  of  our  present  ideals  for  this 
work : 

I.  Organization :  1.  State  Bible-school  Com- 
mittee of  five.     2.  Three  divisional  superin- 
69 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tendents.  3.  District  and  county  superintend- 
ents. 

II.  Extension:  1.  Fifty  new  schools.  2. 
Visit  new  schools.    3.  Revive  dead  schools. 

III.  Evangelism :  1.  Five  thousand  souls 
for  Christ.  2.  Easter  decision  service.  3.  An- 
nual revival. 

IV.  Education:  1.  Teacher-training  class  in 
every  school.  2.  Missionary  instruction  in 
every  school.  3.  Ten  schools  of  methods  (one 
in  each  district).  4.  Graded  lessons  used  in 
every  school.  5.  Exhibit  at  State  Convention. 
6.  Subscriptions  for  Christian  Courier. 

V.  Standards:  1.  Fifty  schools  reaching 
Standard  of  Efficiency.  2.  Two  hundred 
schools  contributing  to  American  Missions. 
Foreign  Missions  and  Benevolence,  and  making 
annual  report.  3.  Every  district  reaching 
Banner  District  Program. 

VI.  Divisional  Aims:  1.  Seventy-five  per 
cent,  of  schools  with  Cradle  Roll.  2.  Fifty  per 
cent,  of  schools  with  organized  Secondary 
Division  class.  3.  Fifty  per  cent,  of  schools 
with  organized  Adult  class.  4.  Fifty  Home 
Departments. 

VII.  Finance:  1.  $3,750  from  schools  for 
American  Missions.  2.  $500  from  one  hundred 
individuals.    3.  $750  in  field  receipts. 

VIII.  Completion  of  Bible-school  Chair  En- 
dowment Fund. 

70 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


THE  C.  W.  B.  M.  IN  TEXAS 

MRS.  G.  D.  SMITH,  State  President 

THIRTY-FIVE  years  ago— in  March,  1885 
— in  a  small  frame  church  building  on 
Commerce  Street,  Dallas,  a  missionary  society 
was  organized  with  a  membership  not  exceeding 
ten  or  twelve  women.  Miss  Kate  Hanson,  a 
godly,  consecrated  woman  from  Missouri,  came 
into  our  midst.  After  much  persuasion  upon 
her  part,  we  finally  promised  to  unite  with  her 
in  the  work.  Thus  was  formed  the  first  society 
of  the  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions 
organized  in  Texas.  Five  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers are  still  active  workers  in  the  Central 
Church  of  Dallas. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  (1885),  the 
second  society  was  formed  in  Sherman  by  Bro. 
W.  C.  Dimmitt.  After  four  or  five  years  we 
numbered  about  twenty  societies,  and  felt  as 
if  we  were  growing  rapidly.  But  we  knew 
so  little  about  the  work,  and  what  we  ought 
to  do;  our  gifts  were  small,  and  we  were  not 
able  to  do  a  large  work.  I  remember  when 
my  own  society  in  the  Central  Church  of 
Dallas  observed  Easter  week  of  prayer  with 
71 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


but  six  or  seven  women  to  take  part,  and  with 
an  offering  of  a  few  dollars.  Now  we  have 
an  attendance  of  one  hundred  or  more  women 
in  an  all-day  meeting,  with  an  offering  of 
several  hundred  dollars.  It  was  for  lack  of 
knowledge  that  we  accomplished  so  little  for 
so  many  years.  Not  only  do  people  themselves 
perish  for  lack  of  knowledge,  but  they  suffer 
others  also  to  perish.  Opposition  to  missions 
comes,  usually,  from  the  uninformed  or  the 
misinformed.  One  of  the  chief  purposes  of  the 
missionary  society  is  to  educate  the  people 
along  missionary  lines,  to  encourage  them  in 
sj'stematic  giving,  and  to  cultivate  a  missionary 
spirit  throughout  the  whole  church. 

The  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions 
has  several  important  works  in  Texas.  The 
Mexican  Christian  Institute  in  San  Antonio 
is  much  needed,  and  is  being  successfully  car- 
ried on  by  our  missionaries.  Brother  and 
Sister  Chiles,  who  have  been  leaders  there  for 
quite  awhile,  have  done  a  splendid  work.  Our 
Bible  Chair  at  Austin,  under  the  direction  of 
Brother  and  Sister  Jewett,  is  doing  a  most  ex- 
cellent work.  Words  can  not  express  the  good 
which  these  consecrated  workers  are  doing  for 
the  young  men  and  young  women  who  come 
under  their  influence.  Several  years  ago, 
Brother  and  Sister  Jarvis,  of  Fort  Worth,  gave 
about  140  acres  of  land  at  Hawkins,  Texas, 
72 


ORGANIZING  THE  WORK 


upon  which  to  establish  an  industrial  school 
for  negroes.  This  school  has  been  in  operation 
for  several  years,  and  much  is  being  done 
to  educate  the  negroes  along  useful  lines  of 
work.  Thus  we  have  grown,  until  now,  at 
the  end  of  thirty-four  years,  we  number,  in  the 
State,  150  societies,  in  addition  to  Triangle 
clubs,  Little  Light-bearers  and  Junior  societies, 
all  of  which  work  under  the  direction  of  the 
C.  W.  B.  M.  "We  have  almost  four  thousand 
members  in  Texas. 

At  the  close  of  the  missionary  year,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1919,  the  good  news  came  to  us  that 
our  societies  of  the  State  had  gone  far  beyond 
"Our  Aim"  in  gifts,  which  was  to  raise 
$22,000;  the  total  was  $31,817.19.  This  brings 
rejoicing.  Five  thousand  dollars  of  this  is  our 
"Love  Gift,"  in  memory  of  one  of  our  most 
faithful  workers  in  years  gone  by.  It  is  to 
be  used  for  a  scholarship  in  the  College  of 
Missions,  to  educate  some  of  our  own  Texas 
boys  and  girls  who  are  willing  and  anxious 
to  go  as  missionaries  to  the  foreign  field.  Let 
us  be  encouraged,  and,  with  faith  in  God  and 
faith  in  each  other,  go  forward  with  joy  and 
gladness  and  enthusiasm  in  the  spirit  of  unity 
and  of  prayer. 

"Not  it,  but  Christ,  be  honored,  loved,  exalted; 
Not  it,  but  Christ,  be  known,  be  heard ; 
Not  it,  but  Christ,  in  every  thought  and  action ; 
Not  it,  but  Christ,  in  every  deed  and  word." 
73 


Educational 

1.  Texas  Christian  University 

2.  Brite  College  of  the  Bible 

3.  Carlton  College 

4.  Midland  College 

5.  Carr-Burdette  College 

6.  The  Texas  Bible  Chair 

7.  Jarvis  Christian  Institute 

8.  Tithing  Among  Texas  Disciples 

9.  Texas  Christian  Lectureship 


75 


EDUCATIONAL 


TEXAS  CHRISTIAN  UNIVER- 
SITY 

EDWARD  McSHANE  WAITS,  President 

A GREAT  master  of  phrase  once  described 
a  university  as  a  place  "which  attracts 
the  affections  of  the  young  by  its  fame,  wins 
the  judgment  of  the  middle-aged  by  its  beauty, 
and  rivets  the  memory  of  the  old  by  its  asso- 
ciations." It  is  our  desire  to  accomplish  for 
Texas  Christian  University  this  threefold  pur- 
pose. Our  hope  and  ambition  is  to  make  the 
Texas  Christian  University  a  university  in 
fact  as  well  as  in  name ;  to  make  it  serve  in 
an  increasing  way  the  educational,  social  and 
religious  interests  of  our  city  and  State,  and 
to  include  in  its  program  the  development  of 
an  institution  second  to  none  in  our  great 
Southwest.  As  the  architect  of  some  noble 
cathedral,  whose  eyes  are  closed  ere  his  work 
has  scarce  begun,  lives  on  in  the  growing  piles 
unfolding,  so  the  noble  work  of  Christian  edu- 
cation is  to  find  its  completion.  Others  have 
labored,  and  we  have  entered  into  their  labors. 
There  is  a  mystical  verse  in  Holy  Writ  that 
77 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


finds  fit  expression  at  this  hour ;  after  the 
author  of  the  Book  of  Hebrews,  like  "Old 
Mortality,"  had  cut  deeper  the  fading  in- 
scriptions on  monuments  that  had  endured 
through  four  thousand  years  of  history,  he 
said:  "Apart  from  us  their  lives  should  not 
be  made  perfect."  So  it  is  ours  to  complete 
the  tasks  of  the  fathers.  We  are  to  add  stone 
to  stone  in  the  building,  note  to  note  in  the 
music,  glory  to  glory  in  the  achievement,  until 
the  very  heavens  rain  their  gold  and  their 
fire.  Such  men  as  Addison  and  Randolph 
Clark,  "Uncle"  Charlie  Carlton,  Maj.  J.  J. 
Jarvis,  T.  E.  Shirley,  C.  W.  Gibson,  T.  E. 
Tomlinson,  and  others  too  numerous  to  catalog, 
have  laid  well  the  foundations,  and  have  left 
the  institution  many  noble  traditions.  These 
were  men  large  of  heart  and  of  soul ;  men  of 
vision  and  of  power;  true  knights-errant  who 
went  out  to  fight  the  battles  of  Christian  edu- 
cation in  behalf  of  the  young  men  and  women 
of  the  Southwest,  and  whose  memories  will  be 
linked  with  the  institution  and  embalmed  in 
the  hearts  of  all  true  lovers  of  God  and  hu- 
manity as  long  as  time  lasts.  They  were  men 
who  were  willing  to  "rise  on  stepping-stones 
of  their  dead  selves  to  higher  things."  Truly 
they  have  left  us  a  mighty  heritage,  and  we 
pray  God  daily  that  He  may  grant  to  us,  their 
successors,  a  double  portion  of  their  spirit,  and 
78 


EDUCATIONAL 


that  we  may  be  worthy  to  wear  the  mantle  of 
their  stainless  and  unselfish  lives. 

Texas  Christian  University  has  had  a  his- 
toric and  a  noble  past.  It  is  at  present  enjoy- 
ing an  unprecedented  era  of  prosperity,  and 
its  future  is  radiant  with  hope  and  promise. 
It  has  equipment  valued  at  over  half  a  million 
dollars,  an  enrollment  during  the  current  year 
of  eight  hundred  students,  a  Faculty  of  fifty 
members  of  recognized  training  and  efficiency, 
and  a  campus  of  fifty  acres  adorned  by  five 
magnificent  buildings  of  brick  and  concrete. 
Its  libraries  are  well  equipped,  its  laboratories 
well  ordered,  and  its  residential  halls  most 
comfortable.  It  is  recognized  as  a  standard  A 
plus  university.  With  the  College  of  Arts  and 
Sciences  are  combined  the  special  Colleges  of 
Law  and  of  the  Bible;  there  are  also  depart- 
ments of  education,  domestic  science,  music, 
painting,  oratory,  business  and  the  commercial 
branches. 

Texas  Christian  University  has  as  its  aim 
Christian  character,  Christian  scholarship  and 
Christian  culture.  In  common  with  other 
church  schools,  it  places  Christianity  as  its 
corner-stone,  and  is  endeavoring  to  surround 
the  students  with  every  possible  influence  that 
will  lead  to  development  of  the  spiritual  as 
well  as  the  intellectual  and  physical.  Texas 
Christian  University  stands  for  Christian 
79 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


faith.  Christian  character  and  Christian  service. 
It  is  reaching  toward  the  highest  educational 
ideals,  and  the  broadest  and  most  thorough 
intellectual  culture.  Its  supreme  task  is  to 
furnish  Christian  leadership,  and  to  inculcate 
Christian  idealism  based  upon  the  fundamental 
morality  and  spirituality  of  the  Bible,  and  the 
kingship  and  lordship  of  Jesus  Christ.  The 
world  was  never  so  fully  convinced  as  it  is 
to-day  that  scholarship  must  be  linked  with  the 
highest  moral  and  spiritual  aims  if  the  world 
is  not  to  be  plunged  into  another  avatar  of 
blood.  The  conflict  out  of  which  the  world  is 
emerging  was  not  simply  a  clash  of  arms,  but 
a  clash  of  ideas  and  convictions.  In  its  last 
analysis  it  was  a  battle  royal  between  two  types 
of  education. 

The  old  education  was  based  on  reason, 
evolution  and  individualism ;  the  new  educa- 
tion, with  Christianity  at  its  heart,  is  based 
on  faith,  hope,  unselfishness  and  service  for 
others.  True  education  is  constructive  indi- 
viduality; it  is  self-realization.  The  great 
Teacher  has  said,  "You  shall  know  the  truth, 
and  the  truth  shall  make  you  free,"  and  there 
is  no  freedom  worth  while  that  does  not  liberate 
every  power  of  the  soul.  The  call  of  this  new 
day  is  for  an  education  that  will  develop  leaders 
of  life  who  are  constructive,  who  can  find  a 
great  moral  equivalent  for  war.  The  demand  is 
80 


EDUCATIONAL 


for  men  and  women  who  are  possessed  with  the 
spirit  of  a  new  unselfishness  that  will  enable 
them  to  thrust  their  lives  out  into  the  trenches 
of  our  modern  warfare ;  who,  in  answer  to  the 
call  of  the  new  spiritual  patriotism,  will  wage 
war  against  social  injustice,  industrial  unrest, 
commercial  greed,  political  corruption,  personal 
impurity  and  religious  indifference — enemies 
more  atrocious  than  the  hideous  Huns  who 
went  forth  from  German  universities  destroy- 
ing churches  and  libraries  that  were  the  heri- 
tage of  a  thousand  years  of  civilization,  making 
cities  desolate,  destroying  commerce  and  rob- 
bing civilization  of  eight  million  men  who  went 
down  in  the  red  burial  of  battle  as  a  tribute 
to  a  false  culture,  and  miseducation  of  a 
mighty  nation  of  people. 

It  is  the  glory  of  the  church  college  that 
it  became  the  pioneer  in  higher  education ; 
that  it  has  furnished  seventy-five  per  cent,  of 
all  the  college  students  of  America;  that  it 
has  maintained  three  out  of  four  of  all  our 
standard  American  colleges,  and  is  educating 
more  than  one-half  of  the  361,270  students; 
that  it  has  furnished  fully  seventy  per  cent, 
of  the  leaders  in  every  department  of  human 
life.  Texas  Christian  University  realizes  that 
the  leaderless  church  is  a  lost  church.  It 
would  be  a  sad  thing  for  the  church  to  fail 
in  membership,  but  it  would  be  a  greater 
e  81 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tragedy  for  the  church  to  fail  in  leadership. 
It  has  been  the  church  college  that  has  inspired 
men  to  service  and  noble  living,  and  brought 
them  to  follow  the  Lord  of  all  through  many 
days  of  fear  and  superstition ;  that  has  sus- 
tained them  in  the  face  of  discouragement,  and 
nourished  them  in  all  true  manliness.  Out  of 
the  halls  of  the  church  college  come  the  minis- 
ters, the  missionaries,  the  secretaries  and  the 
great  leaders  in  every  department  of  human 
endeavor. 

Xot  all  education  is  Christian.  Here  is  a 
State  University  president  who  declares  that 
"it  is  possible  for  a  man  to  become  a  Bachelor 
or  a  Master  in  any  one  of  our  best  State  insti- 
tutions of  higher  learning  with  no  more  knowl- 
edge of  the  true  God  than  if  he  had  been 
educated  in  a  pagan  land."  Here  is  the 
president  of  Brown  University,  the  venerable 
and  illustrious  Dr.  W.  H.  P.  Faunce,  who 
declares  that  "fully  fifty  per  cent,  of  the 
students  of  his  institution  are  acquiring  habits 
of  life  during  their  undergraduate  days  that 
will  disqualify  them  for  any  real  service.''  If 
the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wis- 
dom, many  of  our  American  educational  in- 
stitutions are  still  sitting  in  Egyptian  dark- 
ness. The  rightly  trained  college  man  is  ever 
a  force  to  be  reckoned  with,  and  never  before 
has  so  large  a  percentage  of  our  nation's  young 
82 


EDUCATIONAL 


people  been  found  seeking  equipment  for  life 
through  educational  institutions  in  our  several 
States.  Between  the  ages  of  fifteen  and  twenty- 
four  there  are  about  twenty  million  persons, 
and  360,000  are  actually  in  college.  This  is 
one  in  sixty.  If  only  one  in  ten  graduates,  the 
next  generation  will  find  every  600th  man  a 
full  graduate,  and  every  sixtieth  with  some 
acquaintance  of  college  life  and  ideals. 

The  church  that  fails  to  reach  its  young 
people  through  its  colleges,  and  thus  create 
a  proper  leadership,  will  inevitably  become  a 
disappearing  brotherhood.  The  church's  rela- 
tion to  its  young  people  should  be  threefold ; 
it  should  express  itself  in  discovering,  con- 
serving and  utilizing  this  splendid  young  life. 
There  are  many  young  people  in  every  congre- 
gation who  would  give  earnest  and  splendid 
service  to  their  day  and  generation  if  only 
they  could  get  the  vision  of  life  which  it  is 
the  privilege  of  the  college  to  quicken.  Many 
of  them  are  unaware  of  the  methods  by  which 
a  college  education  may  be  had;  many  do  not 
know  the  value  of  such  education,  and  very 
few  are  able  to  detect  their  own  talents.  It 
is  the  duty  of  the  church  to  discover  their 
talents,  discover  them  to  themselves.  It  is 
furthermore  the  duty  of  the  church  not  only 
to  discover,  but  to  conserve  and  utilize ;  to  see 
to  it  that  the  college  keeps  the  faith;  to  see 
83 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


to  it  that  the  college  does  make  idealists  and 
altruists  of  the  young  people  committed  to  it, 
and  cause  them  to  feel  that  they  have  enjoyed 
priceless  opportunities,  and  in  turn  should  be 
willing,  in  the  spirit  of  altruism,  to  serve  the 
higher  interests  of  their  fellows  and  their  God. 

It  will  also  be  observed  that  where  the 
college  is  strong,  the  church  also  is  strong,  and 
where  the  college  is  weak,  the  church  also  is 
weak.  They  must  stand  or  fall  together.  The 
church  will  never  build  up  great  institutions 
until  its  members  learn  to  patronize  their  own 
colleges.  The  Disciples  of  Christ  have  twenty- 
five  standard  colleges  in  America.  The  latest 
figures  at  hand  show  a  total  enrollment  in 
these  institutions  of  7,839.  We  are  told  that 
only  one  in  ten  of  our  students  attends  our 
own  schools.  We  must,  therefore,  have  70,555 
of  our  boys  and  girls  in  other  schools — State 
schools,  schools  of  other  religious  bodies  and 
private  schools.  Not  one  in  a  hundred  of  our 
children  ediicated  in  other  schools  ever  renders 
any  service  to  the  church.  Therefore,  we  are 
losing  in  our  churches  and  our  homes  the 
religious  influence  of  69.846  of  our  best  young 
men  and  women.  Assuming  that  a  student 
pays  an  average  of  $300  a  year,  or  $1,200  in 
his  college  career,  to  the  school  he  attends, 
our  schools  lose  in  cash  from  this  source  alone 
the  sum  of  $21,165,300  every  year,  or  the 
84 


EDUCATIONAL 


staggering  amount  of  $88,661,200  every  four 
years.  This  sum  we  not  only  take  away  from 
our  own  schools,  but  actually  contribute  to 
others.  These  figures  not  only  answer  the 
question  why  our  colleges  are  struggling  for 
need  of  funds,  but  are  answering  the  further 
question  of  why  our  churches  lack  preachers, 
Sunday-school  superintendents,  teachers  and 
other  helpers.  Last  year  we  gained  335 
churches,  and  during  the  same  period  lost  201 
preachers.  In  other  words,  we  added  536 
preacherless  churches  to  the  three  thousand  or 
more  already  in  that  class.  We  must  either 
gain  preachers  and  workers,  or  lose  churches. 
The  remedy  for  this  state  of  affairs  is  simple 
enough.  We  must  educate  our  own  children 
in  our  own  schools.  We  must  bring  this  whole 
matter  to  the  conscience  of  the  Christian 
parents  of  the  pew.  Our  college  presidents 
and  our  secretaries  can  not  go  over  the  parents 
to  get  these  boys  and  girls.  The  responsibility 
for  this  fearful  condition  is  upon  the  fathers 
and  mothers  of  the  church.  It  is  not  in  the 
standards  of  the  colleges  of  our  brotherhood. 
The  schools  of  our  brotherhood  maintain  the 
full  standards  of  other  schools,  and  our  higher 
institutions  are  the  equal  of  any  in  the  country. 

Texas  Christian  University  has  had  a  noble 
and  historic  past.    It  is  not  our  purpose  to 
pierce  the  veil  of  the  future,  and  play  the 
85 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


role  of  a  prophet.  It  is  necessary,  however, 
in  the  interest  of  true  progress,  to  have  a 
program.  Texas  Christian  University  should 
have,  by  1923,  which  will  be  its  semicentennial 
or  great  jubilee  year,  $1,000,000  in  property 
and  $1,000,000  in  endowment.  It  is  the  modest 
and  the  possible  goal  which  we  have  set  for 
ourselves.  It  is  a  great  dream,  but  one  easily 
to  be  accomplished  in  view  of  what  our  re- 
ligious neighbors  are  doing  at  the  present  hour. 
Texas  Christian  University  now  has  a  half- 
million  dollars  invested,  and  is  planning  during 
this  present  year  to  erect  a  church,  a  gym- 
nasium, a  library  and  other  structures  which 
will  easily  aggregate  $300,000.  The  money  is 
almost  in  sight  for  this  expansion,  and  we  are 
confident  that  the  brotherhood  will  respond 
in  an  ample  way  when  the  need  is  fully  ex- 
pressed, and  the  testing-time  comes.  There 
is  no  department  of  the  University  that  is  not 
overcrowded  with  students,  and  there  is  need 
for  larger  equipment  in  the  classrooms  as  well 
as  larger  housing  facilities  for  the  students. 
The  time  is  coming  when  men  are  going  to 
become  so  aroused  that  they  will  respond  in 
terms  of  whole  buildings,  like  a  Science  Hall, 
a  Fine  Arts  Building,  a  hospital,  a  dormitory, 
an  observatory,  or  even  so  humble  a  gift  as 
a  dining-room  or  power-plant.  Moreover,  the 
hour  is  at  hand  when  the  institution  must 
86 


EDUCATIONAL 


be  endowed.  Adequate  equipment  simply 
means  additional  professors  and  added  over- 
head expense,  unless  some  provision  is  made 
for  endowment.  The  time  will  come  when 
crops  are  bad,  panics  will  threaten,  and  the 
church  will  not  respond  in  gifts  sufficient  to 
meet  the  annual  deficit  which  must  continue 
to  abide.  Higher  education  requires  that  for 
every  dollar  that  a  student  lays  down  in  tuition 
and  fees,  somebody  else  must  lay  down  four 
other  dollars  to  make  the  privilege  of  higher 
education  possible.  In  the  State  institutions 
this  is  secured  by  appropriation,  in  many  of 
the  large  independent  colleges  it  is  secured 
by  foundations  and  endowments,  but  in  our 
brotherhood  colleges  it  must  be  secured  by  gifts 
from  individuals  and  churches.  Endowment 
or  death  may  have  a  kind  of  doleful  sound, 
but  it  is  the  ultimatum  which  is  being  de- 
livered by  the  heartless  logic  as  it  exists  in 
the  educational  world  to-day.  A  million  for 
endowment  in  the  next  three  years!  That 
sounds  reasonably  possible  in  a  country  where 
wealth  is  increasing  at  a  phenomenal  rate, 
where  single  Disciples  have  increased  their 
accumulations  a  hundred-fold  within  the  last 
twelve  months. 

Another  urgent  need  for  endowment  is  to 
provide  for  the  greatly  increased  cost  of  living. 
There  is  already  an  appalling  shortage  in  the 
87 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


supply  of  teachers,  and  this  is  going  to  become 
more  and  more  acute  unless  adequate  provi- 
sions are  made  for  the  bare  living  necessities 
of  our  Faculty  members.  The  U.  S.  Govern- 
ment declared  recently  that  it  requires  at  least 
$2,250  to  support  a  man  and  a  small  family 
wth  any  comforts  and  efficiency.  This  is  far 
in  excess  of  the  salaries  paid  to  our  best  pro- 
fessors, and  perhaps  one-third  more  than  the 
average  salary  paid  at  the  present  time. 

The  church  needs  to  be  made  aware  of  the 
debt  it  owes  to  the  colleges,  for  all  that  they 
have  done  for  the  church,  for  the  sacrificial 
way  that  they  have  walked  from  the  begin- 
ning. It  needs  to  know  that  out  of  these 
colleges  have  come  those  who  are  blazing  new 
pathways  of  light  into  the  pagan  darkness; 
that  out  of  these  colleges  have  come  a  vast 
number  of  consecrated  laymen  who  are  the 
pillars  of  their  churches.  The  hour  has  struck 
when  the  church  should  awaken  to  these  facts, 
and  pour  into  Texas  Christian  University  the 
money  with  which  to  do  its  work  as  it  should 
be  done.  The  way  has  been  long  and  the 
struggle  hard,  but  let  us  trust  that  the  day  of 
victory  is  at  hand. 

"We  men  of  earth  have  here  the  stuff 
Of  Paradise — we  have  enough! 
Wp  need  no  other  stones  to  build 
The  stairs  into  the  Unfulfilled— 
88 


EDUCATIONAL 


No  other  ivory  for  the  doors — 

No  other  marble  for  the  floors — 

No  other  cedar  for  the  beam 

And  dome  of  man's  immortal  Dream. 

Here  on  the  paths  of  every  day — 

Here  on  the  common  human  way — 

Is  all  the  busy  gods  would  take 

To  build  a  heaven,  to  mold  and  make 

New  Edens.    Ours  the  task  sublime 

To  build  Eternity  in  Time!  " 


80 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


BRITE  COLLEGE  OF  THE 
BIBLE 

COLBY  D.  HALL,  Dean 

LTHOUGH  the  Brite  College  of  the  Bible 


i\.  was  chartered  in  1913,  and  moved  into 
its  Administration  Building  in  1914,  its  history 
really  began  many  years  before  these  dates. 
For  it  is  the  fulfillment  of  one  of  the  original 
dreams  of  the  founders  of  Texas  Christian 
University. 

To  rebuild  a  shattered  Southland  was  the 
dream  of  the  Clarks  in  1873  when  they  found- 
ed Add-Ran  College ;  and  their  contribution  to 
this  statesman's  task  was  to  train  men  of  high 
character  as  leaders.  Both  of  these  men  were 
preachers,  and  both  believed  the  gospel  to  be 
the  fundamental  power  of  God  in  the  world ; 
so  they  planned  to  train  teachers  as  an  es- 
sential part  of  their  great  nation-building  pur- 
pose. 

And  they  did  train  them.  During  the 
Thorp  Spring  period  of  twenty-three  years, 
including  the  class  of  1896,  eight  preachers 
were  graduated,  and  nine  more  of  the  students, 
without  graduating,  became  active  preachers. 


90 


EDUCATIONAL 


These  include :  Graduates :  R.  H.  Bonham,  '83 ; 
J.  B.  Sweeney,  '85;  Geo.  L.  Bush,  '86;  W. 
B.  Parks,  '87;  E.  E.  Faris,  '94;  Frank  G. 
Jones,  '90;  Geo.  H.  Morrison,  '95;  D.  A.  Leak, 
'95 ;  Bertha  Mason  Fuller,  '96.  Not  graduated : 
H.  M.  Bandy,  '84- '86;  W.  H.  Bagby,  76-77; 
G.  W.  Bonham;  C.  S.  Watson,  '91;  Claude  L. 
Jones,  '93;  W.  W.  Phares,  '93- '94;  J.  A.  Chal- 
lenner,  '94;  B.  J.  Forbes,  '94- '95;  A.  W. 
Jones.  During  these  years  practically  all  of 
the  Bible  teaching  was  done  by  Addison  Clark. 

Shortly  after  the  move  of  Add-Ran  Uni- 
versity to  Waco,  in  December,  1895,  a  forward 
move  was  made  to  afford  more  adequate  train- 
ing for  preachers.  Bro.  J.  B.  Sweeney  was 
called  to  head  a  special  Bible  Chair,  and  to 
raise  $40,000  as  an  endowment  for  it.  The 
announcement  of  this  new  move  brought  in  a 
new  group  of  ministerial  students,  and  the 
energies  of  this  wonderful  man  were  invested 
for  two  years  in  the  task.  That  was  in  a  day 
when  the  school  was  struggling  for  an  exist- 
ence, and  when  the  churches  were  accustomed 
to  giving  only  in  small  amounts,  so  the  under- 
taking could  not  be  pushed  to  success  at  the 
time.  But  during  the  seven  years  from  1896 
to  1902 — lean  years  they  were,  and  full  of 
hardships — there  were  six  preachers  graduated, 
and  eleven  went  on  to  other  schools  to  complete 
their  training,  or  went  to  preaching  without 
91 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


graduation.  This  group  includes :  Graduates : 
J.  T.  McKissiek,  '97 ;  R.  H.  Simmons,  '98; 
E.  R.  CoekreU,  '99;  J.  N.  Wooten,  '01;  E.  J. 
Bradley,  '02;  J.  C.  Mullins,  '02.  To  other 
schools  or  to  preaching:  V.  L.  Graves,  Colby 
D.  Hall,  W.  S.  Knox,  C.  E.  Chambers,  E.  D. 
Hamner,  S.  G.  Inman,  Macon  Howard,  J.  F. 
Posey,  W.  0.  Stevens,  Jewell  Howard  and 
A.  H.  Miller. 

"With  the  coming  of  Pres.  E.  V.  Zollars,  in 
1902,  a  new  impetus  was  given  to  the  preacher- 
training  work  of  the  school ;  for  he  had  not 
only  emphasized  this  work  greatly  before  the 
churches,  but  also  taught  in  this  department 
himself,  and  secured  one  other  preacher  (Prof. 
Frank  H.  Marshall)  for  full  time.  During  his 
four  years  there  were  sent  out  eighteen  gradu- 
ates and  ten  non-graduate  preachers.  The  first 
four  graduates  of  the  period  were  a  part  of 
the  former  group  who  received  most  of  their 
training  under  J.  B.  Sweeney  or  A.  Clark. 
These  were  H.  E.  Luck,  W.  F.  Reynolds,  L. 
G.  Ament  and  E.  S.  McKinney.  The  others 
were:  Graduates:  H.  R.  Ford,  '04;  C.  C.  Peck, 
'04;  Polk  C.  Webb,  '04;  Frank  Beach,  '05; 
Elster  M.  Haile,  '05;  Jno.  W.  Smith,  '05;  L. 
D.  Anderson,  '05;  Chas.  M.  Ashmore,  '06;  E. 
C.  Boynton,  '06;  C.  P.  Craig,  '06;  A.  J. 
Saunders,  '06;  J.  H.  Sheppard,  '06;  M.  G. 
Smith,  '06;  Tolbert  F.  Weaver,  '06.  Non- 
92 


EDUCATIONAL 


graduates:  W.  M.  LeMay,  J.  N.  Darnell,  Theo. 
Edwards,  \V.  L.  E.  Shane,  Cord  Spurgeon, 
M.  B.  Yewell,  T.  H.  Mathieson,  A.  H.  Smith, 
J.  A.  Arnold  and  Jas.  W.  Groom. 

Under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Clinton  Lock- 
hart,  beginning  in  1906,  the  importance  of 
preacher-training  was  still  recognized,  while 
the  emphasis  was  put  on  the  matter  of  a  higher 
grade  of  scholarship.  Advanced  courses  were 
added  leading  to  the  degree  of  B.D.  Besides 
the  teaching  of  the  president,  which  was  for 
practically  full  time,  and  altogether  in  the 
Bible  Department,  Prof.  Walter  Stairs  gave 
full  time  during  several  years,  specializing  in 
Greek. 

From  1906  to  1912,  a  period  of  seven  years, 
there  were  sent  out  nine  graduates  and  four 
non-graduates  as  preachers.  These  were: 
Graduates:  R.  V.  Calloway,  '07;  Frank  C. 
Buck,  '07;  J.  F.  Quisenberry,  '07;  W.  O. 
Dallas,  '07;  John  C.  Welch,  '07;  Nona  Boege- 
man,  '08;  O.  Alvin  Smith,  '10;  John  Pyburn, 
'10;  S.  W.  Hutton,  '11.  Non-graduates:  Add- 
Ran  Little,  A.  H.  Snider,  Pearl  Gibbons  and 
A.  L.  Munyon. 

During  this  period,  there  was  added  to  the 
Bible  teaching  corps,  during  1910,  a  quiet, 
scholarly,  energetic  soul  with  determination 
for  larger  things.  Dr.  G.  A.  Lewellyn,  after 
the  school  moved  to  Ft.  Worth  in  1910,  started 
93 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


out  in  the  field  to  secure  money  for  a  preacher 
boys'  home.  It  was  a  plea  that  reached  the 
hearts  of  the  brethren — and  sisters,  for  it  was 
a  Mrs.  Goode,  of  Bartlett,  who  gave  the  $5,000 
that  assured  the  success  of  the  campaign.  And 
so  Goode  Hall  was  built.  It  was  consecrated 
in  blood,  for,  soon  after  the  campaign  was  com- 
pleted, Dr.  Lewellyn  succumbed  to  an  illness 
which  was  hastened,  if  not  caused,  by  over- 
strain in  his  travels.  It  was  through  his  influ- 
ence, also,  that  the  first  endowment  for  Bible 
teaching  was  secured,  Bro.  L.  G.  Brite  giving 
$25,000  as  an  Endowment  Fund  for  the  teach- 
ing of  the  English  Bible  in  Texas  Christian 
University. 

These  steps  of  growth  were  gratifying,  but 
yet  inadequate.  "Wliile  preacher-training  was 
the  very  heart  of  T.  C.  U.'s  mission,  it  was 
represented  only  by  a  department,  so  small  as 
to  be  overshadowed  by  the  superior  numbers 
in  the  many  other  departments.  The  dream 
of  the  leaders  was  to  have  not  a  department 
merely,  but  a  College,  which  should  rank  as  a 
constituent  part  of  the  University,  and  give 
prominence  and  power  to  this  work  of  minis- 
terial training. 

It  was  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  F.  D. 
Kershner,  and  by  the  faith  and  gift  of  Bro. 
L.  C.  Brite,  that  this  dream  was  realized.  In 
1913,  Bro.  Brite,  having  already  endowed  a 
94 


EDUCATIONAL 


chair,  paid  an  additional  $34,000  to  erect  the 
Administration  Building  for  the  Bible  College. 
A  separate  Board  of  Trustees  was  formed,  a 
charter  secured,  a  Faculty  provided,  and  the 
new  institution,  an  integral  part  of  T.  C.  U., 
began  to  function  in  the  fall  of  1914,  moving 
into  its  new  home  in  1915.  In  recognition  of 
the  great  service  of  the  man  who  had  pioneered 
in  giving,  and  who  set  the  example  for  others 
to  follow,  the  school  was  named  "The  Brite 
College  of  the  Bible." 

The  brethren  chosen  to  act  as  the  first  set 
of  trustees  are :  Dr.  Bacon  Saunders,  President ; 
L.  D.  Anderson,  Secretary;  James  Harrison, 
Treasurer;  L.  C.  Brite,  Millard  Patterson,  Van 
Zandt  Jarvis,  C.  W.  Gibson,  Jno.  W.  Kerns, 
Eugene  Holmes. 

Dr.  F.  D.  Kershner,  as  president  of  T.  C. 
U.,  was  made  president  of  the  College.  He 
gave  some  time  to  teaching,  in  spite  of  his 
heavy  duties  as  executive. 

As  an  executive  to  handle  the  business, 
classification  and  inside  organization  of  the 
College,  and  to  promote  the  attendance,  Colby 
D.  Hall  was  called  from  the  pastoral  work  to 
serve  as  dean.  He  also  teaches  English  Bible 
and  Social  Service  classes. 

Realizing  that  young  preachers  need  to  be 
grounded  thoroughly  in  the  essential  principles 
of  the  gospel  in  order  to  make  them  effective, 
95 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


practical  preachers  of  evangelistic  power,  the 
trustees  selected  another  pastor,  Chalmers 
McPherson,  as  teacher  of  New  Testament 
Christianity.  His  long  experience  in  pastoral 
and  evangelistic  work  enables  him  to  develop 
the  students  in  those  "first  principles"  that 
have  made  the  Disciples  powerful  in  evangel- 
ism. His  services  have  been  valuable,  too,  in 
securing  assistance  for  the  Employment  Fund, 
and  other  agencies  of  the  school. 

For  the  linguistic  work  of  the  Faculty,  a 
teacher  of  national  influence  and  most  com- 
plete training  was  already  at  hand  in  the  per- 
son of  Dr.  Clinton  Lockhart.  He  was  chosen 
as  Professor  of  Hebrew  and  Greek. 

The  coming  of  E.  M.  Waits  as  president 
brought  another  active  pastor,  who,  although 
doing  no  teaching,  has  led  in  such  a  way  as 
to  give  the  fullest  development  to  the  Bible 
College. 

This  Faculty,  with  varied  attainments,  has 
been  able  to  furnish  to  the  students  an  all- 
round  training,  and,  by  offering  some  classes 
in  alternate  years,  has  been  able  to  cover  the 
whole  ground  of  standard  preparation  for  the 
ministry.  As  the  number  of  students  increases, 
however,  it  becomes  necessary  to  offer  all 
courses  each  year,  and  to  provide  more  range 
of  election  so  as  to  permit  of  specializing. 
Hence  the  number  of  the  Faculty  must  be  in- 
96 


EDUCATIONAL 


creased.  Already  provision  has  been  made 
for  the  addition  of  the  Bible  School  Chair. 
The  money  for  this  endowment  is  being  raised 
by  the  Bible  schools  of  Texas  under  the  leader- 
ship of  the  Southwestern  Superintendent,  S. 
W.  Hutton.  It  is  thought  that  this  work  may 
begin  in  September,  1920.  Two  additional 
chairs  are  needed,  and  will  await  only  the 
generosity  of  some  consecrated  donors. 

The  matter  of  increasing  the  number  of 
students  preparing  for  the  ministry  has  been 
one  of  great  concern.  The  first  line  of  efforts 
to  accomplish  this  was  to  bring  the  cost  within 
the  reach  of  every  worthy  student.  To  this 
end,  the  Goode  Boarding  Hall  was  developed 
and  firmly  established,  to  furnish  board  at  a 
minimum  rate ;  the  Employment  Fund  was 
started,  to  guarantee  work  to  any  boy  who 
needed  it ;  some  scholarships  were  secured 
especially  for  missionary  girls.  To  this  end, 
also,  the  McPadin  Ministerial  Loan  Fund  was 
founded.  By  soliciting  others  to  add  to  his 
own  gift,  Bro.  D.  G.  McFadin,  of  Austin, 
brought  the  fund  up  to  about  $10,000.  This 
has  proven  to  be  a  most  helpful  feature. 

Under  these  conditions,  the  attendance  of 
ministerial  students  gradually  Increased  from 
the  twenty-two  in  1913-14,  until  there  were 
forty-two  in  1916-17.  Then  came  the  setback 
by  the  war.  Most  of  the  boys  volunteered  in 
7  97 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


spite  of  their  clerical  exemption,  and  the  pros- 
pective new  pupils  were  subject  to  the  draft, 
so  that  the  attendance  in  1918-19  was  made 
up  largely  of  married  students  and  women. 
The  enrollment  was  only  twenty-five,  and  that 
included  several  who  had  returned  from  the 
army  in  the  spring  term. 

"With  the  closing  of  the  war,  the  College 
took  upon  itself  the  duty  of  arousing  the  con- 
science of  the  churches  to  the  duty  of  furnish- 
ing volunteers.  New  interest  was  stirred 
through  a  campaign  with  the  slogan.  "A  Com- 
pany of  One  Hundred  Volunteers  in  Brite 
College."  The  result  was  an  attendance  of 
fifty-eight  in  1919-20,  the  largest  in  the  history 
of  T.  C.  U.  It  is  worthy  of  note  that,  with 
slight  exceptions,  the  preacher  boys  who  went 
into  the  army  came  back  preachers,  with  faith 
in  preaching  intensified. 

The  graduating  classes  from  1913  to  1919 
have  furnished  the  following  preachers  for 
A.B.,  B.D.  or  English  Bible  course:  Grover 
W.  Stewart,  '13;  W.  C.  Ferguson,  '13;  J.  W. 
Cockrfll,  '13;  J.  E.  Evans,  '13;  N.  C.  Collins, 
'13;  T.  J.  Dean,  Jr.,  '13;  R.  F.  Cantrell,  '14; 
Ray  Camp,  '14;  R.  A.  Highsmith,  '14;  S.  F. 
Houtchens,  '14;  Buford  Isaacs,  '14;  M.  Molina, 
'15;  J.  A.  Crain.  '16;  W.  L.  Thornton.  '16; 
W.  B.  Higgins,  '17;  B.  S.  Smiser,  '18;  Miss 
Ruth  Musgraves,  '18;  John  W.  Shockley,  '18; 
98 


EDUCATIONAL 


Ben  M.  Edwards,  '19;  Ben  Hearn,  19;  Miss 
Carrie  Correll,  '19. 

During  that  time  the  following  non-gradu. 
ates  have  gone  out :  Henry  Hagemeier,  Leo 
Johnston,  Grady  Twyman,  J.  H.  Monk,  Logan 
Martin,  Patrick  Henry,  F.  W.  Strong,  V.  R. 
Hughes  and  D.  McCarroll. 

Even  so  condensed  a  history  would  be  un- 
excused  if  it  should  omit  a  summary  of  the 
summary  of  the  school's  contribution  to  the 
field  of  Foreign  Missions.  This  contribution 
is  yet  on  a  small  scale,  but  it  contains  worthy 
names,  and  these  are  but  a  promise  of  the 
greater  future.  Several  in  the  list  have  served 
for  a  term  of  years,  and  for  various  reasons, 
usually  health,  have  returned.  Others  are  still 
on  the  field. 

1.  Ellsworth  E.  Faris,  pioneer  at  Bolenge, 
Africa. 

2.  Bertha  Mason  Fuller,  two  terms  in 
Mexico. 

3.  Frank  Beach,  a  term  in  Jamaica. 

4.  Mrs.  Frank  Beach,  also  a  term  in  Ja- 
maica. 

5.  Frank  C.  Buck,  about  ten  years,  and 
yet  in  China. 

6.  Samuel  Guy  Inman,  Mexico  and  Latin 
America. 

7.  Miss  Pearl  Gibbons,  teacher  in  Piedras 
Negras,  Mexico. 

99 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


8.  Miss  Nona  Boegeinan,  one  term  in  India. 

9.  Miss  Ruth  Musgraves,  began  in  Africa 
in  1919. 

There  are  seven  in  the  1920  graduating 
class  of  T.  C.  U.  who  will  preach,  three  of 
them  going  to  foreign  field.  From  the  present 
stndent  body  will  go  one  or  more  out  of  every 
year's  class  for  the  foreign  field. 

Many  plans  for  the  enlarged  usefulness  of 
Brite  College  are  now  in  the  minds  of  the 
leaders,  which,  under  God's  blessings,  will  be 
soon  translated  into  history. 


100 


EDUCATIONAL 


CARLTON  COLLEGE 

C.  T.  CARLTON,  GRACE  CARLTON, 
SALLIE  JOE  CARLTON 

CARLTON  COLLEGE  was  founded  by 
Charles  Carlton,  September,  1867,  in 
Bonham.  It  was  not  his  purpose  to  found  a 
college  in  Texas;  it  must  have  been  providen- 
tial that  he  was  induced  to  undertake  the 
work.  There  were  in  Bonham  many  pioneer 
families  of  education  and  culture  who  dedred 
a  good  seminary  for  their  daughters,  being  far 
removed  from  schools  of  the  older  States. 
These  families  had  erected  a  building,  engaged 
teachers,  and  opened  a  seminary  with  one  hun- 
dred girls.  The  teachers  would  stay  for  a  few 
years,  and  return  to  the  older  States.  How- 
ever, Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sias  remained  for  six  years, 
winning  the  love  and  esteem  of  all,  and  then 
returned  to  New  York.  The  number  of  pupils 
had  decreased  because  of  the  Civil  War. 
Colonel  Cole,  of  Dallas,  and  a  Mr.  Keeler  each 
taught  for  one  year  and  left.  The  citizens  of 
Bonham  were  at  a  loss  whom  to  secure. 

Near  Bonham.  in  the  obscure  village  of 
Kentuckytown,  Charles  Carlton  was  teaching 
101 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


a  coeducational  school,  waiting  for  conditions 
in  southwest  Missouri  to  grow  better.  In  1861 
he  had  left  a  good  school  and  home,  in  an  ex- 
cellent community,  and  refugeed  to  Texas.  His 
purpose  was  to  return,  resume  his  teaching  and 
preaching,  and  make  his  home  permanently  in 
Springfield.  The  little  school  in  Kentuckytown 
proved  that  there  were  many  young  men  just 
cut  of  the  army,  and  many  young  women  who 
had  remained  out  of  school  during  the  war, 
who  were  eager  to  attend  school.  Among  these 
students  was  one  destined  to  exert  a  great  in- 
fluence on  the  educational  life  of  the  State — 
Addison  Clark.  He  had  heard  Mr.  Carlton 
preach  at  the  headquarters  of  Fitzhugh's  regi- 
ment, and  later  said:  "His  voice,  his  looks,  his 
manner,  his  sermon,  all  captivated  me  and  fixed 
the  man  firmly  in  my  memory  and  admiration. 
I  remember  his  theme — 'The  Christian  AVarfare 
and  Armor.'  "  Mr.  Clark  did  not  see  the 
preacher  again  until  he  and  his  brother,  Ran- 
dolph, entered  the  school  •  in  Kentuckytown. 
Every  family  in  town,  who  could  do  so,  took 
students  into  their  homes.  Three  young  men 
slept  in  one  bed  in  the  back  room  of  "Uncle 
Ben"  Earnest's  store  through  one  winter. 
Mr.  Addison  Clark  said:  "These  young  men 
took  their  meals  at  'Aunt  Sallie's'  table,  such 
meals  as  only  she  could  have  prepared  to  suit 
those  hungry  boys.  We  had  found  the  man 
102 


EDUCATIONAL 


who  was  as  inexhaustible  as  our  thirst  for 
knowledge  was  unceasing.  The  day  sessions 
were  from  8  A.  m.  to  6  p.  m.,  in  addition  to 
regular  classes  after  supper  and  many  irregular 
classes."  This  glimpse  of  the  teacher,  given  by 
a  model  pupil,  helps  us  to  understand  why  the 
Bonham  people  sent  a  committee  to  interview 
him  with  reference  to  his  coming  to  Bonham. 

Mr.  Carlton  decided  a  change  would  be 
advisable  if  he  could  own  the  property  and 
the  dwelling  near.  All  things  worked  favor- 
ably ;  the  contract  was  made  and  school  opened 
in  September,  1867.  It  flourished  from  the 
first,  attracting  students  from  all  parts  of 
Texas,  and  from  several  other  States.  Those 
teachers,  students  and  home-makers  lived  busy, 
strenuous  lives.  In  spite  of  this,  the  young 
people  found  time  for  social  pleasures.  On 
Sunday  afternoons  the  young  men  would  visit 
the  young  ladies  in  the  College  parlor.  Often 
they  would  attend  the  evening  services  together. 
Pleasures  were  simple,  but  enjoyed.  There 
were  nutting  expeditions,  strawberry  gather- 
ings, picnics,  with,  occasionally,  an  orator,  an 
artist  or  a  circus.  One  of  the  early  romances 
was  that  of  Addison  Clark  and  "Cousin 
Sallie"  McQuigg,  a  member  of  our  own  house- 
hold. In  due  time  this  ripened  into  a  happy 
marriage.  On  the  evening  of  this  event,  which 
was  in  the  College  auditorium,  the  groom  led 
103 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


his  bride  to  a  seat,  removed  his  wedding 
gloves,  entered  the  pulpit  and  preached  his  first 
sermon.  Other  young  men  found  their  life 
partners  in  the  classroom.  Mr.  Randolph 
Clark  and  Miss  Ella  Lee  began  their  romance 
about  this  time. 

Many  good  speakers  visited  the  College, 
thus  giving  the  students  glimpses  of  the  great 
world  of  action  for  which  they  were  preparing. 
However,  no  visitors  were  more  beneficial  or 
more  appreciated  than  our  great  preachers 
who  came  and  remained  for  two  or  more  weeks 
giving  great  Bible  lessons.  Preachers,  mission- 
aries, temperance  lecturers,  musicians,  dramatic 
readers,  were  frequently  entertained  in  the 
College  that  students  might  feel  the  personal 
touch  of  their  culture  and  consecration.  These 
influences  helped  to  strengthen  the  principles 
taught  by  the  teachers. 

President  Carlton  organized  a  Sunday 
school  and  preached  in  the  auditorium  of  the 
school  building,  after  the  first  year.  On  May 
31,  1868,  the  twenty-seven  members  of  the 
church  were  organized  into  a  congregation,  and 
regular  services  were  conducted  from  that  time. 
In  July  of  that  year  several  were  added  by 
confession  and  baptism.  This  was  the  humble 
origin  of  the  large  congregation  now  occupying 
the  magnificent  church  building  on  North  Main 
Street,  known  as  the  First  Christian  Church. 
104 


EDUCATIONAL 


There  were  but  few  high  schools  at  that 
time,  and  no  public  schools  in  towns  the  size 
of  Bonham.  Later,  under  the  community  sys- 
tem, a  free  school  was  introduced  into  the  Col- 
lege for  such  part  of  the  school  year  as  the 
money  apportioned  justified.  At  first,  citizens 
were  opposed  to  "free  schools,"  but  they  soon 
became  popular  and  added  greatly  to  the  pros- 
perity. This  system  assisted  many  to  secure 
a  common  and  high-school  education  who 
would,  otherwise,  have  been  deprived  of  it. 

In  1882  a  charter  was  obtained  under  the 
name  "Carlton  College."  Charles  Carlton,  C. 
T.  Carlton  and  J.  B.  Abernathy,  and  others 
as  these  should  select,  constituted  a  Board  of 
Trustees.  In  1888,  Carlton  College  ceased  to 
be  coeducational,  and  was  devoted  to  the  edu- 
cation of  girls  and  young  ladies.  At  this  time 
the  town  took  charge  of  the  public  schools, 
which  necessitated  the  erection  of  a  new  Ad- 
ministration Building.  Additional  rooms  for 
girls  were  included,  thus  enlarging  the  board- 
ing department.  Continued  prosperity  fol- 
lowed the  erection  of  this  building  in  1895. 

On  January  8,  1900,  Mrs.  Charles  Carlton 
passed  to  her  reward.  She  had  been  in  the 
home  life  of  the  pupils  what  President  Carlton 
had  been  to  the  school  and  church  life  of  the 
student  body  and  community.  The  loss  was 
irreparable,  and  told  greatly  on  the  spirit  of 

105 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


President  Carlton.  Yet,  he  strove  mightily  to 
go  on  as  before,  and  did  wonderfully  well,  in- 
sisting on  keeping  up  his  school  duties.  In  the 
winter  of  1902  he  contracted  a  deep  cold  and 
gradually  weakened  until,  on  February  13, 
1902,  he  fell  asleep. 

The  great  burden  he  had  borne  fell  on  the 
shoulders  of  his  son,  C.  T.  Carlton,  who  had 
been  vice-president  for  twenty-seven  years. 
Grace  Carlton  became  vice-president,  and  Sallie 
Joe  Carlton  continued  at  the  head  of  the 
Music  Department.  Mrs.  C.  T.  Carlton  took 
the  management  of  the  College  home,  and, 
though  frail  of  body,  filled  the  place  most  effi- 
ciently. For  two  years  she  instructed  the  class 
in  domestic  science. 

Our  father's  last  request  was  that  we  con- 
tinue the  work  of  the  College.  This  we  did 
to  the  best  of  our  ability.  A  few  years  later, 
the  trustees  of  Texas  Christian  University  de- 
cided to  take  over  the  property,  and  make  this 
the  first  of  a  number  of  secondary  schools  to 
serve  as  feeders  to  the  University,  the  Carltons 
to  remain  in  charge.  Brother  Zollars  was  a 
man  of  great  vision,  and  he  heartily  approved 
the  plan.  However,  the  brotherhood  of  the 
State  did  not  catch  the  vision,  and  the  neces- 
sary sum  needed  for  the  University  to  keep 
the  contract  was  not  forthcoming,  and  the 
school  reverted  to  the  Carltons,  they  assuming 
106 


EDUCATIONAL 


the  indebtedness.  In  1914  the  trustees  of  Carr- 
Burdette  and  of  Carlton  College  decided  to 
consolidate  the  two  schools.  Just  after  the 
contract  was  made,  the  World  War  was  de- 
clared, which  greatly  hampered  the  work.  The 
plan  proving  unsatisfactory,  the  Carltons  re- 
signed at  the  close  of  the  1916  session.  It 
was  through  the  services  of  C.  T.  Carlton  that, 
in  1914,  the  Men  and  Millions  Movement 
granted  $25,000  to  Carr-Burdette. 

The  work  of  Carlton  College  is  finished, 
but  we  trust  its  influence  will  be  felt  through 
time,  as  those  educated  on  this  hallowed  spot 
live  up  to  the  ideals  implanted  by  their'  earnest 
Christian  teachers.  We  should  love  to  mention 
those  pupils  who  have  attained  positions  of 
honor  in  the  world  as  teachers,  preachers,  phy- 
sicians, lawyers,  editors,  business  leaders, 
ranch-men,  farmers,  bankers,  home-makers, 
etc.,  also  the  many  faithful  teachers  who 
labored  with  us  from  1867  to  1916.  We  feel 
we  must  mention  J.  H.  Rosecrans,  who  re- 
mained twelve  years,  doing  work  with  the 
students  and  exerting  a  great  uplift  in  the 
school  and  community.  He  was  of  inestimable 
value  as  a  friend  and  counselor. 

Carlton  College,  with  its  forty-nine  years 
of  uninterrupted  service,  is  the  contribution  of 
Charles  Carlton  and  family  and  their  colaborers 
to  Christian  education  in  the  State  of  Texas. 
107 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


MIDLAND  COLLEGE 

J.  T.  McKISSICK,  President 

MIDLAND  COLLEGE  was  founded  in 
1910,  largely  through  the  efforts  of  Frank 
P.  Elkin  and  A.  C.  Parker,  the  latter  being 
minister  of  the  church  at  that  time.  They 
saw  a  large  section  of  the  "Great  Staked 
Plains"  country  without  a  college,  and  the 
institution  was  started  to  give  proper  educa- 
tional facilities  for  a  great  and  growing  section 
of  the  West. 

The  Board  of  Trustees  met  in  1908,  and, 
by  special  invitation,  Chalmers  McPherson  was 
present  as  representative  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  Texas  Christian  University;  he  offered 
many  valuable  suggestions  as  to  proper  plan 
of  procedure.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  a 
building-site  was  selected  by  a  joint  committee 
of  both  schools,  C.  W.  Gibson,  T.  E.  Tomlin- 
son  and  Colby  D.  Hall  representing  the  latter 
institution.  Midland  raised  a  popular  sub- 
scription of  $25,000,  four-fifths  of  which  was 
subscribed  by  members  of  the  church,  and 
$10,000  was  given  on  the  annuity  plan  by 
E.  F.  Elkin,  without  whose  generosity  the 
108 


EDUCATIONAL 


school  would  have  suffered  more  than  once 
since  its  beginning.  H.  N.  Garrett  and  others 
donated  two  hundred  acres  of  land,  a  part  of 
which  was  sold  in  lots  in  order  to  secure  the 
$65,000  necessary  to  erect  the  Administration 
Building.  Among  others  who  have  made  sub- 
stantial gifts  to  the  school  are  Burl  Holloway, 
S.  W.  Estes,  Dr.  W.  K.  Curtis,  Roll  Dublin, 
C.  C.  Johnson,  J.  D.  Jackson,  Millard  Patter- 
son, L.  L.  Farr,  L.  C.  Brite,  H.  L.  Magee, 
W.  B.  Elkin,  J.  V.  Stokes,  Mrs.  Cora  M.  Hart- 
grove,  Price  Bush,  Mrs.  Leslie  Bush,  and  others 
whose  names  are  not  known  to  the  writer. 

Midland  is  situated  on  the  Texas  &  Pacific 
and  Midland  &  Northwestern  Railroads,  half- 
way between  Fort  Worth  and  El  Paso,  and  in 
the  heart  of  the  great  cattle-raising  section 
where  the  climate  allows  work  and  play  nearly 
every  day  in  the  year.  Not  only  is  the  location 
most  healthful,  but  the  moral  environment  is 
almost  ideal.  The  people  are  noted  for  their 
large-heartedness  and  patriotism. 

The  school  opened  in  1910  with  C.  W. 
Reeves  as  president ;  after  one  year,  he  was 
succeeded  by  H.  R.  Garrett,  who  served  faith- 
fully until  1913,  when  Franklin  G.  Jones  was 
chosen.  He  is  the  son  of  an  honored  minister, 
and  was  educated  at  Add-Ran  College  at  the 
feet  of  the  lamented  Addison  Clark  and  his 
gifted  brother  Randolph,  than  whom  the  State 
109 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


has  produced  no  greater  educators;  later  he 
took  his  Master's  degree  at  Texas  Christian 
University,  and  has,  this  year,  received 
the  same  honor  from  Columbia  University. 
During  his  temporary  absence  from  the  school 
his  place  is  filled  by  the  writer,  who  has  been 
closely  associated  with  the  school  for  three 
years. 

Midland  College  stands  four-square  on  every 
moral  proposition,  and  every  effort  is  made 
to  induce  the  students  to  form  the  best  habits 
of  life.  It  aims  to  give  the  youth  who  attend 
its  halls  the  right  idea  and  ideals  of  life;  to 
fit  them  for  Christian  service ;  to  adequately 
equip  them  for  the  duties  of  Christian  citizen- 
ship. If  a  student  forms  the  habit  of  honesty, 
industry,  economy,  punctuality,  thoroughness, 
politeness  and  kindness,  and  if  he  abstains 
from  habits  of  wastefulness,  gambling,  swear- 
ing, tobacco-using  and  kindred  vices,  he  is  well 
along  the  road  to  success  in  the  world.  Unless 
he  has  the  will  power  to  quit  these  evil  habits, 
he  will  hardly  succeed  in  after  life.  Right- 
thinking  parents  share  these  ideals,  and  schools 
and  colleges  should  put  forth  every  effort  to 
weave  them  into  the  fabric  of  character.  It 
is  tragic  beyond  expression  for  a  young  person 
to  leave  the  parental  roof,  and  return  with 
distorted  and  wrong  conceptions  as  to  the  real 
meaning  of  life.  Their  education  is  an  ex- 
110 


EDUCATIONAL 


pense,  and  they  are  in  no  way  fitted  to  do 
their  bit  in  the  great  workaday  world  into 
which  they  are  to  enter. 

Midland  College  is  a  junior  college  of  "A" 
rank.  The  special  field  of  the  junior  college 
is  the  last  two  years  of  high  school  and  the 
first  two  of  college  work.  Because  of  the  im- 
maturity and  lack  of  settled  character  of  the 
average  boy  and  girl  of  the  later  "teens,"  it 
is  fitting  that  they  attend  educational  institu- 
tions where  they  may  get  not  only  thorough 
and  standardized  courses  of  study  under  capa- 
ble, consecrated  and  cultured  instructors,  but 
where  emphasis  is  laid  on  moral  rectitude,  and 
conditions  are  most  favorable  to  the  same.  At 
this  time  the  mind  is  perhaps  at  the  zenith 
of  its  acquisitive  power,  and  character  most 
receptive  to  life-directing  influence.  It  is  a 
most  perilous  time  of  life.  The  slant  one  takes 
during  this  time  is  apt  to  be  permanent.  Under 
the  guise  and  ^prestige  of  education  there  often 
lurk  subtle  and  ruinous  influences.  There  is  a 
type  of  education,  of  the  alleged  scientific 
variety,  that  eliminates  God  from  His  universe; 
which  creates  a  false  and  unbecoming  pride 
which  eliminates  its  possessor  from  the  world 
in  which  he  must  live  and  labor;  one  of  an 
easy-going  complacency  which  forever  bars 
successful  achievement,  and  a  Bohemian  type 
which  regards  the  priceless  boon  of  human  life 
111 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


as  a  period  of  self-indulgent  pleasure.  During 
this  period  of  life  the  student  is  apt  to  decide 
what  vocation  he  shall  follow ;  he  makes  his 
most  lasting  friends;  he  may,  and  often  does, 
choose  his  life  partner. 

Emerson  says  that  an  institution  is  but  the 
lengthened  shadow  of  a  man.  Certain  it  is 
that  we  associate  certain  ideals  with  men  and 
schools,  and  the  very  mention  of  their  names 
brings  to  our  minds  a  general  idea  of  their 
outstanding  features;  this  general  idea  is  based 
on  what  knowledge  we  may  have  of  them, 
whether  it  be  complete  or  fragmentary,  and  it 
is  usually  the  latter.  That  which  stood  and 
stands  in  the  minds  of  those  who  founded  and 
fostered  Midland  College  is  Christian  character, 
which  finds  expression  in  worthy  service  to 
humanity.  To  best  further  this  end,  the  Bible 
is  a  daily  text-book,  excerpts  being  read  from 
it,  and  its  truths  impressed,  line  upon  line  and 
precept  upon  precept.  Since  "character  is 
caught  as  well  as  taught,"  much  care  is  exer- 
cised in  the  selection  of  a  Faculty,  ability, 
consecration  and  culture  being  prime  requisites. 
In  fact,  the  Faculty  and  the  student  body  and 
their  proper  co-ordination  constitute  the  school ; 
this  made  Garfield  say  that  Mark  Hopkins  on 
one  end  of  a  log  and  a  student  on  the  other 
was  a  university,  but  both  a  "Hopkins"  and 
a  "student"  are  needed. 

112 


EDUCATIONAL 


The  study  of  the  Bible,  by  far  the  best 
book  known  to  mankind,  promotes  mightily 
the  development  of  character  by  implanting 
the  principles  of  righteousness,  and  encourag- 
ing their  practice.  Mere  knowledge  of  morality 
is  not  enough ;  a  Christian  institution  should 
abound  in  constraining  incentive  to  practice 
right-doing.  Seneca,  the  Roman  moralist,  was 
preceptor  to  Nero,  the  tyrant.  That  which 
stands  out  clearly,  not  only  in  the  instance 
cited,  but  in  every  experience  of  the  world, 
is  that  not  only  must  there  be  the  precept  for 
good,  but  there  must  accompany  it  the  impulse 
for  its  practice,  else  it  becomes  a  mere  plati- 
tude void  of  dynamic  and  effect,  hurtful  to  its 
possessor  and  harmful  to  the  world.  The  late 
war,  which  took  such  frightful  toll  of  the  first- 
fruits  of  the  world's  manhood,  was  conceived 
and  carried  on  by  those  who  theoretically  knew 
the  ideals  of  Christ,  but  practically  were 
wholly  at  variance  with  them.  The  war  apol- 
ogist should  remember  that  its  results  are 
ghastly  battlefields,  shell-torn  bodies,  sorrowful 
souls,  the  orphan's  cry  and  the  bleeding, 
broken  hearts  of  widowhood  and  motherhood, 
who,  like  Rachel  of  old,  weep  for  their  loved 
ones,  and  will  not  be  comforted  because  they 
are  not.  This  is  the  immediate  result,  not  to 
mention  the  national  enmities,  bankrupt  and 
tottering  governments,  burdensome  debts,  odi- 
s  113 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


ous  indemnities  and  many  other  evils,  too 
numerous  to  mention,  but  too  heavy  to  bear 
without  groanings  which  can  not  be  uttered. 
One  evident  corollary  may  be  adduced  from 
consideration  of  the  war,  and  that  is  as  old 
as  the  Book,  "Except  the  Lord  build  the 
house,  they  labor  in  vain  that  build  it."  Any 
man  or  institution  which  neglects  God  may 
count  on  failure  in  the  end. 

Education,  rightly  considered,  means  the 
harmonious  development  of  the  whole  man, 
physically,  intellectually,  morally,  socially.  A 
great  Frenchman  said:  "Better  unborn  than 
uneducated."  Another  said:  "Better  unedu- 
cated than  unprincipled."  Education  without 
righteousness  is  but  quickened  knavery.  Rightly 
viewed,  it  prepares  one  to  perform  all  the 
duties  of  life,  public  and  private,  justly,  skill- 
fully, magnanimously.  Its  design  is  to  give  the 
soul  all  the  beauty  and  perfection  of  which  it 
is  capable.  These  things  being  true,  the  im- 
portance of  right  education  can  hardly  be  esti- 
mated. Addison  says:  "What  sculpture  is  to 
the  marble,  education  is  to  the  human  soul." 
Plato  says  that  the  difference  between  the  edu- 
cated and  the  uneducated  is  as  the  difference 
between  the  living  and  the  dead. 

Schools  which  stand  for  these  principles  can 
hardly  be  too  numerous.  They  should  be  lo- 
cated at  strategic  points,  and  manned  by  com- 

114 


EDUCATIONAL 


petent  leaders  who  stand  uncompromisingly 
for  these  principles.  Every  student  ought  to 
be  impressed  with  the  thought  that  life  is  a 
stewardship,  proceeding  from  and  returning 
to  God,  and  not  to  be  lightly  regarded,  but 
soberly,  discreetly  and  in  the  fear  of  God. 
The  sorrows  of  the  world  are  brought  on  by 
those  who  do  not  regard  the  rights  of  their 
fellow-men,  who  violate  the  Golden  Rule  of 
the  relationship  of  man  to  man.  "Man's  in- 
humanity to  man  makes  countless  millions 
mourn."  The  cradle,  the  college,  the  church, 
should  work  together  in  the  molding  of  the 
character  of  the  man. 

[After  this  manuscript  had  gone  to  press, 
F.  G.  Jones  resigned  the  presidency  to  accept 
a  position  with  a  State  institution,  and  J.  T. 
McKissick  was  elected  as  his  successor. — c.  m.] 


115 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


CARR-BURDETTE  COLLEGE 

CEPHAS  SHELBURNE,  President 

■>  ARR-BURDETTE  COLLEGE,  in  its  loca- 


tion,  grounds,  buildings,  equipment,  ideals 
and  purposes,  is  the  realized  dream  of  Mrs. 
0.  A.  Carr,  and  stands  as  a  monument  to  her 
memory.  Mrs.  Carr  was  endowed  by  nature 
with  special  gifts,  and  with  the  added  culture, 
zeal  and  experience  that  fitted  her  for  the  work 
of  an  educator.  She  was  a  woman  of  refine- 
ment, intellectual  culture,  energy  and  disci- 
plinary powers  that  peculiarly  fitted  her  to 
have  charge  of  girls  and  to  be  the  head  of  a 
female  college. 

Her  husband,  Dr.  0.  A.  Carr,  was  a  scholar, 
an  able  minister  of  the  gospel  and  classroom 
instructor.  He  and  Mrs.  Carr  spent  some  years 
in  missionary  and  educational  work  in  Aus- 
tralia, and  traveled  extensively  in  the  Orient — 
an  experience  that  richly  fitted  them  for  the 
after  work  that  came  to  them  as  educators. 

Returning  to  America  in  1873,  Mrs.  Carr 
began  to  look  about  her  for  a  suitable  location 
for  a  school  for  girls — the  ideal  and  passion  of 
her  heart.    In  1874.  Mrs.  Carr  was  elected  to 


116 


EDUCATIONAL 


the  position  of  principal  in  Hocker  College 
(now  Hamilton  College)  in  Lexington,  Ken- 
tucky, of  which  Robert  Graham  was  president. 
Here  she  delivered  a  series  of  lectures  extend- 
ing through  the  College  year,  on  the  wonders 
in  many  lands. 

Hocker  College  did  not  afford  the  oppor- 
tunity she  sought,  and  later,  in  1876,  she  es- 
tablished Floral  Hill  College  for  girls  in  Ful- 
ton, Missouri.  In  1878,  Floral  Hill  was  united 
with  Christian  College,  Columbia,  Missouri,  a 
college  of  longer  standing,  and  handsomely 
equipped.  Mrs.  Carr  became  associate  prin- 
cipal, with  George  B.  Bryant  as  president. 

But  Mrs.  Carr  was  a  born  leader,  and 
original,  and  so  definite  were  her  ideas  of 
management  and  discipline  that  her  position 
as  associate  principal  could  never  have  been 
satisfactory  in  any  school ;  and,  dissatisfied 
with  the  restraints  upon  her,  she  severed  her 
connection  with  Christian  College.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1879,  Mrs.  Carr  became,  through  the  solici- 
tation of  Dr.  S.  S.  Laws,  president,  Professor 
of  English  and  dean  of  the  young  ladies'  de- 
partment in  the  University  in  Missouri. 

This  position  Mrs.  Carr  held,  with  marked 
success  and  ability,  for  ten  years.  During 
this  period,  besides  her  work  as  instructor,  she 
delivered  lectures  in  the  University  chapel, 
contributed  to  the  University  magazine,  and 
117 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


was  vitally  connected  with,  and  consulted  in, 
all  the  work  and  perplexing  problems  of  the 
University  management  and  life.  Mrs.  Carr's 
educational  work  and  experience  in  Melbourne, 
Australia ;  Floral  Hill  College,  Hocker  College 
and  Christian  College,  and  her  ten  years  in 
the  University  of  Missouri,  and  her  travels  in 
the  Orient,  had  eminently  fitted  her  for  the 
work  of  an  educator,  and  for  carrying  out  the 
dream  of  her  life — the  establishment  of  a  select 
home  school  for  girls. 

Pushing  this  ideal,  with  a  determination 
to  bring  her  passion  to  ultimate  success — to 
build  a  college  for  girls  and  leave  it  as  a 
bequest  to  the  church — Mrs.  Carr  began  to 
search  for  a  location  for  such  a  school.  She 
spent  a  year  in  this  search,  visiting  towns  and 
cities  in  Missouri,  Tennessee,  Kentucky  and 
Texas,  and  finally  came,  with  her  husband,  to 
Sherman,  Texas.  Learning  of  Mrs.  Carr's  de- 
sire to  found  a  college  for  girls,  some  promi- 
nent citizens  expressed  a  desire  to  have  the 
school  located  at  Sherman.  A  proposition  was 
submitted  to  the  Carrs,  and  soon  the  affairs 
relative  to  the  establishment  of  a  school  for 
girls  began  to  crystallize  in  and  about  Sher- 
man, Texas. 

A  site  was  chosen  for  the  proposed  college 
"on  a  beautiful  elevation  in  her  eastern  suburb, 
overlooking  a  wide  circuit  of  country  as  charm- 
118 


EDUCATIONAL 


ing  as  the  blue-grass  region  of  Kentucky." 
A  mass-meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Sherman 
was  called,  which  Mrs.  Carr  addressed  in  the 
interest  of  the  enterprise.  This  was  in  1891. 
The  story  is  a  long  one,  for,  as  is  usual  in 
such  undertakings,  it  called  for  courage,  sacri- 
fice and  almost  superhuman  effort.  The  success 
of  the  enterprise  depended  upon  the  sale  of 
lots.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  lots  must  be  sold 
at  $200  each,  and  the  proceeds  from  J;hese  sales 
($50,000)  paid  for  the  erection  of  the  "Girls' 
Home"  and  the  original  equipment.  In  selling 
these  lots,  Brother  and  Sister  Carr  traveled 
over  five  States,  and  worked  two  and  a  half 
years.  It  was  a  great  undertaking,  a  work 
that  demanded  enormous  courage  and  indomi- 
table will  power  and  persistence,  but  Mrs.  Carr 
was  a  woman  of  vast  energy,  courage  and 
determination,  and  in  her  vocabulary  there  was 
no  such  word  as  "fail." 

At  last  the  ground  was  broken  for  the 
foundation  of  the  College  building,  Mrs.  Carr 
herself  guiding  the  plow  that  made  the  first 
furrow.  On  January  1,  1894,  the  corner-stone 
was  laid;  the  250  lots  were  all  sold,  the  money 
all  raised.  That  was  the  proudest  day  in  Mrs. 
Carr's  life  when  she  faced  the  expectant  multi- 
tude and  told  the  story  of  her  striving  and 
achievement.  "Of  all  the  glad  New  Years," 
she  exclaimed,  "this,  to  me,  is  the  gladdest; 
119 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


but  a  gladder  time  is  yet  to  come  in  the  com- 
pleted College  and  its  opening,  when  this  edu- 
cational institution  and  home  shall  be  lighted 
with  the  faces  of  happy  girls.  Nothing  will 
then  be  lacking  to  perfect  our  joy  in  the  crown- 
ing work  of  our  lives."  The  building  was 
finished,  and  in  September  of  the  same  year 
Carr-Burdette  College  was  opened  to  girls. 

For  fourteen  years  Mrs.  Carr  was  the  lead- 
ing spirit  of  the  school — she  was  president, 
dean,  professor  and  business  manager ;  firm  in 
her  government  and  rigid  in  discipline.  Mrs. 
Carr  died  October  31,  1907,  and  was  buried  in 
"West  Hill  Cemetery,  Sherman.  In  one  of  the 
beautiful  parlors  of  the  "College  Beautiful," 
is  a  marble  slab  with  this  inscription : 

By  the  Students  of  1907-1908 
To  the  Memory  of  Our  Dear  Teacher 
Mrs.  0.  A.  Carr 
Taken  from  Us  to  Be  with  Christ 
October  31,  1907. 
If  You  Seek  Her  Monument,  Look  Around  Tou. 

Dr.  Carr  continued  the  College  as  its  head 
until  the  year  1913,  when  he  turned  the 
management  over  to  Prof.  J.  F.  Anderson.  Mr. 
Anderson  was  building  up  the  school,  and,  but 
for  his  untimely  death,  would  have  continued 
its  usefulness.  In  May.  1914,  the  Carlton  Col- 
lege of  Bonham  and  Carr-Burdette  College 
120 


EDUCATIONAL 


were  consolidated,  and  the  session  of  1914-15 
opened  as  Carr-Carlton  College,  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Carltons,  with  Charles  T.  Carlton 
as  president  and  business  manager.  In  the 
summer  of  1915  a  new  and  commodious  Admin- 
istration Building  was  erected  and  equipped 
and  paid  for  by  the  citizens  of  Sherman.  The 
College  was  closed  the  following  session.  In 
September,  1917,  the  school  was  again  reopened 
with  James  A.  Crain  as  president  and  Robert 
J.  Cantrell  as  dean  and  business  manager.  The 
College  was  again  closed  to  students  the  follow- 
ing school  year. 

In  1919,  Carr-Burdette  was  incorporated,  a 
new  Board  of  Directors  was  elected,  with  Sam. 
J.  McFarland  as  president,  and  Cephas  Shel- 
burne  was  elected  president  of  the  College 
and  Mrs.  Shelburne  dean  of  the  Girls'  Home. 
The  session  of  1919-20  opened  September  17, 
with  a  full  Faculty,  both  in  the  Literary  and 
Fine  Arts  Departments,  and  one  of  the  largest 
enrollments  of  students  in  its  history.  Prac- 
tically all  of  the  rooms  in  the  "Girls'  Home" 
or  Dormitory  have  been  taken,  and  plans  are 
being  considered  by  the  management  and 
Board  of  Trustees  for  additional  equipment 
and  improvements  in  the  grounds  and  build- 
ings, and  for  increasing  the  capacity  for  a 
large  number  of  girls.  The  outlook  promises 
a  bright  future  for  the  College. 

121 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Carr-Burdette  College  is  the  property  of 
the  Christian  Churches  of  the  State  of  Texas, 
and  is  under  the  direct  control  of  the  brother- 
hood. The  property  is  valued  at  $150,000,  and 
is  free  from  any  indebtedness.  It  is  a  junior 
college  for  girls  and  young  ladies,  and  offers 
four  years  of  standard  high-school  and  two 
years  standard  college  work ;  with  a  Fine  Arts 
Department,  giving  music,  art,  oratory,  do- 
mestic science,  typewriting,  shorthand  and 
book-keeping. 

Carr-Burdette  College  is,  first  of  all,  a  home 
for  girls  and  young  ladies.  It  was  conceived, 
planned,  built  and  equipped,  and  deeded  to  the 
Christian  Churches  of  Texas,  as  a  college  home 
for  the  education  and  culture  of  young  ladies. 
In  its  eight  acres  of  College  campus,  in  a 
quiet  resident  section  of  East  Sherman,  "beau- 
tiful for  situation,"  and  everywhere  in  the 
beautiful  College  Home,  there  are  the  sugges- 
tion and  feeling  of  the  "home  life."  The 
dean,  president,  teachers  and  students  all  live 
in  the  "Girls'  Home,"  and  make  up  our  Col- 
lege family. 

It  is  the  aim  and  policy  of  the  president, 
dean  and  Faculty,  in  all  their  government, 
discipline  and  social  life,  to  make  Carr-Bur- 
dette a  home  for  girls — a  safe,  refined,  happy, 
Christian  home.  No  mother  need  fear  to  send 
her  daughter  to  Carr-Burdette  College ;  she  will 
122 


EDUCATIONAL 


be  just  as  safe  and  cared  for  here  as  in  her 
own  home.  Apart  from  a  thoroughly  efficient 
mental  and  physical  culture,  training  and  edu- 
cation, Carr-Burdette  College  proposes  to  give 
your  daughter  the  protection,  individual  care 
and  love  of  a  refined  and  well-ordered  Chris- 
tian home.  The  education  of  your  girl  is  a 
most  serious  problem,  and  causes  our  mothers 
no  little  anxiety.  The  critical  period  comes 
when  you  feel  that  you  must  send  your  girl 
away  from  home  to  school.  Probably  the  most 
momentous  decision  you  will  ever  make  for 
your  child  is  the  choice  of  her  school,  as  her 
whole  future  will  be  directed  and  influenced 
by  her  school  life.  You  want  your  girl  edu- 
cated to  become  a  scholar  and  a  cultured 
woman,  and  return  to  you  a  pure,  sweet  and 
true  woman ;  and  you  say :  "If  I  could  only 
go  with  her,  if  I  could  just  know  that  she  will 
be  safe  and  well  taken  care  of."  With  a 
mother  it  is  "safety  first";  and  this  shall  be 
the  policy  and  watchful  care  of  Carr-Burdette 
College. 


123 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


THE  TEXAS  BIBLE  CHAIR 

FRANK  L.  JEWETT,  Bible  Chair  Instructor 

BEGINNINGS  of  the  Bible  Chair  were  made 
in  the  years  1903  and  1904.  At  that  time 
Miss  Bertha  Mason,  now  Mrs.  J.  H.  Fuller, 
was  State  secretary  for  the  C.  W.  B.  M.  She 
was  deeply  interested  in  the  Bible  Chair  proj- 
ect, and  worked  diligently  for  it.  Other 
women  deeply  interested  at  the  time  were  Mrs. 
M.  M.  Blanks,  Mrs.  Clara  Walden,  Mrs.  Ida 
V.  Jarvis,  Mrs.  Annie  D.  "Wilkinson,  and  quite 
a  few  others.  Dr.  E.  V.  Zollars  was  asked  to 
deliver  a  series  of  Bible  lectures  and  spy  out 
the  situation.  There  was  no  property  at  that 
time,  so  Dr.  J.  W.  Lowber,  pastor  of  the  Cen- 
tral Christian  Church,  invited  him  to  use  his 
pulpit,  and  from  the  beginning  encouraged 
the  movement  in  every  possible  way.  During 
the  winter  and  spring  of  1904.  Prof.  Wal- 
lace C.  Payne,  from  the  University  of  Kansas 
Bible  Chair,  made  two  visits  to  Austin,  deliv- 
ered lectures,  and  solicited  funds  in  Austin, 
but  best  of  all  secured  a  $10,000  gift  from 
Mrs.  M.  M.  Blanks,  Lockhart.  Texas.  Property 
was  bought  on  a  most  favorable  site,  and  ar- 
il 24 


EDUCATIONAL 


rangements  were  made  for  a  permanent  work. 
Mrs.  Helen  E.  Moses  went  over  the  whole  situa- 
tion with  me,  and  the  work  appealed  to  me, 
and  I  accepted  the  leadership  of  the  work  for 
an  indefinite  period.  I  had  just  finished  eight 
years'  work  in  the  University  of  Kansas,  Har- 
vard, and  the  University  of  Chicago,  and  as 
a  consequence  I  had  great  confidence  in  such 
work  for  students.  I  have  had  charge  of  the 
regular  work  from  the  beginning,  fourteen 
years  ago. 

The  record  of  those  fourteen  years  is  a 
most  interesting  record.  The  work  at  first 
was  very  modest.  There  was  too  much  at  stake 
to  make  blunders.  Feelingly,  the  work  was 
carried  along.  For  about  five  years  the  only 
Bible  classes  held  were  classes  made  up  of 
volunteers.  Of  these  there  were  a  good  many, 
but  of  rather  uncertain  regularity  and  even 
existence.  In  every  possible  way  there  was 
co-operation  with  all  religious  associations  and 
religious  bodies.  It  was  realized  that  life  could 
not  exist  unless  by  the  closest  sticking  to- 
gether of  all  religious  forces,  and  with  the 
most  perfect  harmony.  Gradually,  a  large 
student  Sunday-school  class  was  built  up.  At 
first  this  class  met  at  the  Central  Christian 
Church.  But  the  distance  of  a  mile  soon  made 
it  apparent  that  the  class  must  meet  in  the 
Bible  Chair  property  near  the  University,  so 

125 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  change  was  made  and  as  a  consequence  the 
class  rose  in  numbers  by  leaps  and  bounds. 
By  the  end  of  five  or  six  years,  I  think  it  is 
fair  to  say  that  the  work  of  the  Bible  Chair 
commended  itself  to  the  University  as  a  useful 
institution.  We  were  anxious  to  do  a  more 
permanent  and  more  telling  work.  So  along 
with  the  Presbyterians  and  Paulist  Fathers 
the  University  authorities  were  asked  to  recog- 
nize our  work,  and  to  give  students  carrying 
Bible  courses  credit  for  the  same  towards 
their  University  degrees.  The  Bible  Chairs  and 
the  University  people  went  over  the  matter  to- 
gether very  carefully,  and  as  a  result  of  many, 
and  sometimes  quite  lengthy,  conferences,  it 
was  agreed  under  certain  conditions  to  give 
the  recognition  desired.  After  this  recognition 
was  granted,  the  number  of  students  taking 
Bible  courses  was  exceedingly  small.  As  the 
years  passed  by,  however,  the  classes  grew 
until  in  one  year,  the  year  before  America 
entered  the  World  War,  there  were  enrolled  in 
these  classes  nearly  150  students.  It  was  never 
contemplated  that  with  this  recognition  of  the 
University  there  should  be  a  let-up  on  the 
voluntary  and  personal  and  Sunday-school 
work.  Rather  it  was  the  intention  to  use  the 
standing  in  the  community  given  us  by  the 
recognition  as  a  strong  lever  for  still  more  of 
the  popular  work. 

126 


EDUCATIONAL 


During  the  last  ten  years  or  so  the  work 
of  the  Texas  Bible  Chair  has  been  along  four 
very  distinct  lines  as  follows:  Credit  work, 
volunteer  work,  personal  conferences,  and  an 
unusual  strong  Sunday-school  work.  Along 
these  lines  the  work  has  been  pushed  with 
vigor.  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  the  most 
vital  work  has  been  that  of  the  personal  con- 
ferences, for  in  this  way  the  student  has  been 
met  face  to  face  with  personal  problems. 

In  1908,  through  the  generosity  of  Mrs. 
M.  M.  Blanks,  who  gave  a  second  gift  of  $8,000, 
it  was  made  possible  to  build  the  two  splendid 
buildings  we  now  have.  At  once  this  made  the 
work  spring  into  greater  prominence,  but  better 
than  prominence  was  the  ability  to  do  a  much 
finer  type  of  work  for  the  students  in  every 
way.  Provision  was  also  made  by  the  National 
C.  W.  B.  M.  Board  for  a  small  endowment  of 
$10,000.  The  State  auxiliaries  have  always 
shown  a  great  willingness  to  do  their  part  in 
the  maintenance  of  this  student  work.  Indeed, 
it  is  a  work  in  which  they  take  a  most  healthy 
pride.  The  good  words  that  hundreds  of 
students  have  had  for  the  Bible  Chair  as  they 
have  finished  their  University  work  and  gone 
out  into  the  school  of  life  have  been  most  effec- 
tive in  keeping  up  a  whole  State  interest  in  this 
worthy  work.  Friends  for  it  have  been  made 
everywhere.  It  has  strengthened  our  educa- 
127 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tional  work  throughout  all  our  churches.  It 
has  been  a  rich  blessing  to  every  church  having 
only  a  small  part  in  its  promotion. 

Fourteen  years  ago  the  idea  of  a  Bible 
Chair  at  the  University  was  very  novel.  We 
were  pioneers.  To-day  there  are  six  Bible 
Chairs  established  in  the  following  order:  Dis- 
ciples of  Christ,  Presbyterians,  Paulist  Fathers, 
Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Church  of  Christ.  The 
working  together  of  the  leaders  of  these  bodies 
is  a  marvel  of  modern  times.  Such  under- 
standing and  such  co-operation  will  hasten 
mightily  the  answer  of  Jesus'  prayer  that  we 
all  may  be  one.  The  reflex  influence  of  this 
work  on  the  churches  will  have  a  most  healthy 
influence. 


128 


EDUCATIONAL 


JARVIS  CHRISTIAN  INSTITUTE 

J.  N.  ERVIN,  President 

A HISTORY  of  this  work  would  be  incom- 
plete unless  a  word  be  said  of  the  early 
workers  of  the  church  in  Texas.  From  the 
beginning,  these  good  people  understood  that 
no  real  progress  could  be  made  in  the  recon- 
struction of  the  negro  race  until  schools  be 
established  for  the  education  of  children  after- 
ward to  be  the  leaders.  Fathers  and  mothers 
prayed  for  some  one  to  see  as  they  saw,  under- 
stand the  needs  as  they  understood  them,  and 
work  with  them  along  these  lines  for  God  and 
for  humanity.  These  prayers  were  answered 
through  the  generosity  of  Major  and  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Jarvis,  of  Fort  Worth.  Mother  Haley  and 
scores  of  other  devout  disciples  had  prayed  for 
this  particular  work  to  be  established  some- 
where in  Texas.  Mother  Haley  lived  in  Green- 
ville, and  was  a  member  of  the  little  band  of 
Christians  there.  She  did  not  pray  with  empty 
hands.  Her  soul  overflowing  with  love,  she  laid 
$25  upon  the  altar,  this  representing  her  entire 
savings  for  a  whole  year.  Others  followed 
her  lead  with  their  gifts.    Only  a  few  of  those 

9  129 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


who  so  generously  gave  in  those  earlier  days 
were  permitted  to  see  the  work  inaugurated. 
Mother  Haley  and  the  others  lived,  not  for 
self,  but  for  others.  With  gratitude  for  the 
work  of  those  Christian  pioneers,  we  approach 
the  future  with  a  new  sense  of  our  respon- 
sibilities, and"  a  stronger  faith  in  God,  and  a 
more  resolute  determination  to  serve  in  His 
kingdom. 

Jarvis  Christian  Institute,  a  religious  and 
industrial  school,  is  located  in  northeast  Texas, 
one  mile  from  Hawkins  and  five  from  Big 
Sandy.  It  is  on  the  Texas  &  Pacific  Railway. 
Out  of  love  and  respect  for  Major  and  Mrs. 
Jarvis,  who  gave  456  acres  of  land,  sprang  its 
name.  The  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Mis- 
sions took  control  of  the  school,  and,  in  1913, 
bought  182  acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  Jarvis 
tract,  making  a  total  of  638  acres  in  the 
school  plantation. 

The  writer  never  had  the  pleasure  of  meet- 
ing Major  Jarvis,  but  has  had  the  advantage 
of  splendid  advice  and  encouragement  from 
Sister  Jarvis,  who  comes  frequently  to  visit 
and  to  strengthen  our  work. 

Pres.  J.  B.  Lehman,  Secretary  of  Negro 
Education,  visited  the  site  in  1910,  and  recom- 
mended the  beginning  of  the  school.  On  De- 
cember 15,  1912,  Prof.  T.  B.  Frost,  of  Edwards. 
Mississippi,  was  sent  to  begin  the  work.  Much 

130 


EDUCATIONAL 


had  to  be  done  at  once:  a  home  to  be  arranged 
for,  a  barn  to  be  erected,  the  forest  to  be 
cleared,  the  attention  of  a  strange  people  to 
be  enlisted,  and  a  school  to  be  opened.  Pro- 
fessor Frost  labored  in  a  manly  way  for  the 
principles  characteristic  of  his  life.  The 
family  soon  followed,  and  occupied  the  rude 
cabin  which  had  been  erected.  The  school  was 
begun,  with  an  enrollment  of  seven  pupils, 
the  Frost  family  furnishing  three  of  the  num- 
ber. This  was  on  January  13,  1913.  In  addi- 
tion to  Mr.  Frost,  Prof.  C.  A.  Berry  and  Miss 
Cecilia  Hurt,  of  Virginia,  composed  the 
Faculty.  On  January  1,  1914,  the  writer  made 
his  first  visit,  remaining  two  weeks.  On 
August  12,  1914,  I  returned  with  my  three 
children  to  take  the  leadership  so  nobly  begun 
by  Professor  Frost.  God,  who  had  taken  my 
dear  wife  to  Himself,  strengthened,  comforted 
and  sustained.  We  set  ourselves  to  the  solution 
of  the  problems.  A  school  building  was  to  be 
completed,  living  quarters  provided,  and  school 
to  be  opened  in  September.  Another  teacher 
was  added — Miss  S.  I.  Ellis  in  charge  of  the 
music.  On  the  opening  day  thirteen  pupils 
were  enrolled,  three  of  whom  were  my  own 
children. 

The  work  prospered  with  each  teacher  and 
student  happy  in  the  growth.    Then  came  a 
disastrous  fire,  destroying  our  school  building, 
131 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


on  December  16,  1914.  The  writer  lost  all  his 
personal  property,  including  the  library,  the 
accumulation  of  twenty  years,  barely  escaping 
with  his  life  and  his  two  boys,  and  of  other 
boys  occupying  the  hall  as  sleeping  quarters. 
The  laundry  then  consisted  of  a  single  room 
very  rudely  built.  Here  we  made  common 
bunks  for  myself  and  my  boys  and  such  boys 
as  we  could  keep.  There  we  slept  at  night, 
and  the  girls  laundried  during  the  day.  As 
early  as  we  were  able  to  obtain  clothing  for 
the  boys  who  had  lost  all,  the  school  was 
reopened ;  the  dining-hall  and  the  private 
rooms  of  Mrs.  Frost,  in  the  Girls'  Hall,  were 
used  for  the  work  of  the  school.  Those  were 
trying  hours,  but  every  teacher  kept  faith  and 
worked  as  if  nothing  had  happened.  A  saw- 
mill was  soon  secured.  Then  came  cutting 
trees,  hauling  logs,  cutting  into  lumber.  A 
temporary  building  was  erected  in  a  very  brief 
time.  Professor  Howard,  of  Southern  Chris- 
tian Institute,  came  to  our  teaching  force. 
Commencement  Day  arrived  in  the  midst 
of  great  rejoicing.  Buildings  have  been 
added  as  rapidly  as  the  work  demanded. 
We  now  have  ten  frame  buildings  on  the 
campus.  The  school  has  taken  its  place 
among  the  sister  schools  in  raising  money 
for  educational  purposes.  The  students  are 
taught  to  give  as  God  has  prospered  them. 

132 


EDUCATIONAL 


Every  interest  of  the  church — local,  State, 
national — is  responded  to  by  teachers  and 
pupils.  During  the  war  the  school  raised  Red 
Cross  money,  bought  War  Savings  Stamps, 
invested  in  Liberty  bonds,  and  did  its  share  in 
food-saving.  Some  of  our  boys  went  over  the 
top,  and  others  were  ready  to  go.  Our  students 
and  teachers  have  been  called  to  take  part 
in  State  and  national  meetings,  the  Glee  Club 
having  been  heard  on  many  occasions.  Best 
of  all,  we  are  happy  to  see  results  which  we 
have  so  earnestly  sought — young  men  and 
women  offering  their  lives  for  Christian  service. 
Few  pupils  ever  remain  here  for  so  long  a 
time  as  one  year  without  having  made  the  good 
confession.  Seven  States  have  been  represented 
in  our  student  body. 

God  has  given  us  friends.  The  Christian 
Woman's  Board  of  Missions  has  stood  nobly 
by  the  work.  Individuals  of  our  own  race 
are  helping,  some  in  a  small  way.  Mr.  Wiley 
J.  Fuller,  of  Greenville,  has  begun  the  work 
of  a  library  fund  for  the  school  by  contributing 
$100  cash,  and  placing  $500,  the  interest  of 
which  may  be  thus  used.  The  first  emergency 
campaign  for  the  negro  Disciples  of  the  United 
States  was  launched  at  Jarvis  Institute,  iu 
May,  1919.  Since  that  time  more  than  $20,000 
has  been  subscribed  by  the  colored  brotherhood 
of  Texas,  and  about  $2,000  paid  in.  Of  this 
133 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


last  sum,  about  $600  came  from  the  teachers 
and  students  of  this  institution. 

A  recent  acquisition  is  the  Dixie  Overland 
Highway,  which  passes  through  our  campus, 
bringing  large  convenience  for  travel,  and  as- 
sisting in  beautifying. 

We  rejoice  in  the  fine  feeling  here  between 
the  races,  and  in  the  realization  of  the  evident 
spirit  of  helpfulness  on  the  part  of  the  white 
citizens.  Many  of  them  are  registered  daily 
as  our  visitors. 

The  present  teaching  force  of  the  school  is 
as  follows:  J.  N.  Ervin,  C.  W.  Smith,  T.  B. 
Frost,  Z.  H.  Howard,  A.  C.  Jackson.  Mrs.  W. 
Ervin,  Mrs.  C.  W.  Smith,  Mrs.  M.  B.  Frost, 
Mrs.  C.  B.  Howard,  Mrs.  L.  G.  Smith,  Mrs. 
G.  V.  Bryant,  Mrs.  Theodore  Ripetoe,  Mrs. 
Lizzie  Woodard,  Misses  L.  A.  Smith,  A.  S. 
Smith,  E.  S.  Fuller,  B.  A.  Blackburn,  S.  V. 
Hollingsworth,  Floy  Johnson  and  John  Finch. 

The  prime  purpose  of  the  school  is  to  train 
young  men  and  young  women  for  true  citizen- 
ship. Realizing  that  a  struggling  mass  of  our 
race  is  constantly  looking  upward  for  leader- 
ship, the  school  faces  a  keen  sense  of  respon- 
sibility, and  is  doing  what  it  can  to  meet  the 
opportunity.  Many  students  have  gone  from 
here  to  their  homes  with  new  ideas  of  life  and 
service.  While  some  do  not  complete  any  pre- 
scribed course,  we  feel  they  can  not  come  in 
134 


EDUCATIONAL 


personal  contact  with  that  which  is  here,  even 
for  a  short  while,  without  learning  some  of 
the  important  lessons  for  their  life's  work.  We 
try  to  teach  them  to  be  independent  in  the 
matter  of  bread-winning,  and  to  train  them- 
selves for  usefulness  in  life,  by  each  rendering 
the  best  service  in  his  special  line. 

The  course  of  study  is  so  arranged  that 
careful  attention  is  given  to  physical  training 
and  to  the  general  well-being  of  the  student 
life.  We  teach  the  laws  of  sanitation.  We 
teach  that  people  who  are  clean,  honest,  in- 
dustrious, intelligent  and  self-sustaining,  are 
assets  to  the  country,  and  contributors  to  civili- 
zation, while  those  of  the  opposite  class  will 
always  be  liabilities. 

One  of  the  fixed  policies  of  the  school  is 
to  train  the  students  in  strict  religious  ob- 
servances. They  must  know  there  is  no  true 
success  where  Christ  is  not  incorporated  in 
their  lives.  Our  aim  is  to  teach  them  to  ex- 
emplify the  life  of  Christ  in  their  daily  living, 
so  that  religion  with  them  becomes  a  righteous 
and  practical  experience,  both  wholesome  and 
progressive. 

In  connection  with  the  religious  life,  those 
who  may  be  leaders  should  have  the  advantage  of 
taking  special  training  in  strong  Bible  Courses 
that  they  may  be  fit  as  ministers,  mission- 
aries, teachers,  and  general  community  workers. 
135 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Unless  our  hopes  for  this  special  work  shall 
bear  fruit,  we  shall  feel  that  our  efforts  have 
been  partly  in  vain.  Our  race  needs  leader- 
ship, not  only  in  other  lines,  but  in  the  church 
as  well.  The  school  will  fall  far  short  of  its 
aim  if  it  fails  to  produce  such  leaders — those 
who  shall  have  a  vision  of  the  work  to  be 
done,  and  the  moral  courage  to  work  with 
heart,  hand  and  soul  to  bring  things  to  pass. 
We  encourage  home-seeking  and  home-building, 
so  that  we  may  contribute  to  the  nation  and 
to  the  world  at  large  something  of  value  in 
service.  The  church  must  give  the  opportunity 
for  such  development.  Until  it  fulfills  this 
solemn  obligation  through  Christian  education, 
we  may  expect  the  worst  from  every  section. 

We  have  needs  which  are  as  yet  unsupplied. 
A  Bible  College  is  very  much  needed,  that  we 
may  train  young  men  for  the  Christian  min- 
istry, and  young  women  for  real  missionary 
work.  Texas  alone  needs  fifty  well-trained 
young  men  to  take  the  work  with  as  many 
congregations  which  are  being  scattered  for 
lack  of  leaders.  We  need  well-equipped  aca- 
demic and  industrial  departments  that  we  may 
prepare  teachers  to  go  into  the  schools  of  the 
South,  and  train  our  people  to  become  con- 
tributors to  civilization  by  purchasing  homes, 
clearing  the  forests,  ditching  the  land,  enrich- 
ing the  soil,  erecting  better  buildings,  giving 
136 


EDUCATIONAL 


more  modern  schoolhouses,  furnishing  better 
rural  churches,  and  learning  and  observing  the 
laws  of  health.  Through  the  school,  we  need 
to  send  out  expert  farmers,  dairymen,  swine- 
breeders,  poultry  dealers,  truck  gardeners, 
brickmasons,  carpenters,  engineers  of  various 
kinds,  trained  wives,  cooks,  domestics,  dress- 
makers, laundresses,  milliners,  trained  nurses 
and  missionaries,  that  they  may  add  not  only 
to  the  commercial  and  educational  value  of 
the  negro,  but  to  the  entire  South  as  well. 
When  this  is  done,  the  negro  will  not  be  a 
disturber  of  the  peace  and  happiness  of  himself 
and  others,  but  an  asset  to  the  entire  country. 

Some  progress  has  been  made  toward  secur- 
ing funds  for  the  establishment  of  a  hospital 
for  students  and  the  community.  It  would  be 
very  much  appreciated  if  some  one,  who  has 
the  money,  would  supply  this  great  need.  It 
would  mean  a  perpetual  blessing  upon  the 
school,  and  otherwise  far-reaching. 

We  need  a  well-equipped  library  where 
students  and  teachers  may  resort  for  reading 
and  research.  This  is  absolutely  essential.  We 
need  books,  saws,  axes,  squares,  song-books, 
Bibles,  hammers,  planes,  chisels,  daily  papers, 
magazines,  school  journals,  wall  pictures, 
sheets,  pillow-cases,  sewing-machines,  hoes, 
shovels,  thimbles,  needles,  spades,  typewriters, 
scholarships.  In  the  suggestion  of  our  needs 
137 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


we  do  so  in  hope  that  those  who  read  may  not 
overlook  that  which  is  true,  that  before  we  ask 
of  others  we  first  help  ourselves  to  our  limit. 
And  we  have  a  great  deal  of  self-reliance.  But 
when  this  has  been  used  we  feel  that  we  have 
the  right  to  call  upon  others,  not  for  our- 
selves, but  for  those  whom  we  are  trying  to 
help.  Our  Mecedonian  cry  is,  Come  over  and 
help  us  for  the  good  of  our  people,  and  for 
the  good  of  your  own  race. 


138 


EDUCATIONAL 


TITHING  AMONG  TEXAS 
DISCIPLES 

ARTHUR  A.  EVERTS 

THE  paying  of  one-tenth  of  income  as 
acknowledgment  of  divine  ownership  of 
all  our  possessions,  seems,  until  recent  years, 
to  have  had  little  popularity  among  Texas 
disciples  in  general.  And  this,  strange  to  say, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  we  are  supposed 
to  speak  where  the  Scriptures  speak  about  all 
things  vital  to  the  kingdom's  advancement. 
Due  to  the  fact  that  money  makes  the  mare 
go,  and  the  man  go  too,  and  where  a  man's 
treasure  is,  there  will  his  heart  be  also,  we  have 
not  advanced  as  far  as  we  might  have  ad- 
vanced had  not  Satan  sidetracked  us  from 
this  divine  principle  of  tithing  with  its  great 
spiritual  and  financial  force,  which  makes  the 
Lord  Jesus  a  partner  in  every  single  transac- 
tion. Therefore  only  one-third  or  one-fourth 
of  our  membership  are  regular  church  attend- 
ants, largely  because  only  one-fortieth  of  our 
money  reaches  the  church  treasury.  While,  in 
years  gone  by,  such  men  as  A.  J.  Bush  and 
Randolph  Clark  have  been  faithful  in  this 
139 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


stewardship,  there  were  many  others  whom  we 
may  never  know,  who  paid  the  tenth  for  God, 
and  were  thereby  a  blessing  to  many  a  scat- 
tered band  of  disciples.  Through  encourage- 
ment of  the  money  of  these  tithers,  and  their 
consequent  and  deepened  spirituality,  preach- 
ing was  provided  in  many  congregations,  the 
membership  was  built  up,  and  the  little, 
struggling  bands  saved.  For,  left  alone,  they 
would  have  gradually  been  strangled  by  the 
devil's  stewardship  plans  for  the  undoing  of 
our  great  plea.  Escaping  from  this  noose, 
however,  a  few  churches  were  able  to  shine  for 
God  in  the  far-away  places  of  our  great  State. 

About  the  year  1887,  through  the  influence 
of  the  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor,  many  became  members  of  the  Tenth 
Legion,  thus  starting  a  revival  of  stewardship. 
Due  to  the  influence  of  tithers,  the  Central 
Christian  Church  of  Dallas  became  a  living 
link  in  the  Foreign  Christian  Missionary  So- 
ciety, supporting  Bessie  Homan  Faris  in 
Africa.  From  this  same  Tenth  Legion  influ- 
ence at  the  Central  Christian  Church,  Elsworth 
Faris  says  he  taught  Bible  stewardship  of 
money  to  our  first  church  on  the  Congo  at 
Bolenge,  so  that  every  Lord's  Day  morning, 
as  they  sang  their  song,  these  former  canni- 
bals walked  forward  and  laid  their  tithe  and 
offering-money  of  brass-rod  money  in  the 
140 


EDUCATIONAL 


basket  on  the  communion  table.  Thus  far  this 
was  the  only  wholly  apostolic  church  among  the 
Disciples  of  Christ,  every  ten  members  sup- 
porting an  evangelist.  Every  one  testified  for 
God  publicly  at  least  once  each  week,  so  that 
to-day  more  than  two  hundred  evangelists  are 
supported  by  this  church. 

When  the  panic  of  1907  came  to  America,  and 
our  Foreign  Society  was  hampered  for  funds, 
on  the  Congo  the  work  went  forward  without 
interruption,  because  when  the  Bolenge  Church 
mass-meeting  was  called  one  morning,  to  con- 
sider the  promised  forward  work  and  shortage 
of  funds,  every  one  of  the  more  than  twenty 
evangelists  stood  and  said:  "Teacher,  take  one- 
third  of  my  salary  to  keep  our  promises  to 
send  the  Christ  to  those  away  in  the  great 
forests."  And  when  that  sum  was  found  in- 
sufficient at  the  afternoon  called  meeting,  those 
who  had  possessions,  even  to  garden  tools  and 
cooking-vessels,  sold  them,  and,  emulating  the 
first  tithing  church  at  Jerusalem,  brought  the 
price  and  laid  it  down  at  Mr.  Faris'  and  Dr. 
Dye's  feet.    And  so  the  work  went  on. 

The  missionaries  dared  not  tell  these  former 
heathen  that  the  churches  of  Christ  in  Texas 
were  giving  at  that  time  less  than  one-fortieth 
of  their  income  for  God,  and  less  than  one-half 
of  one  copper  cent  for  the  unity  of  God's 
people,  for  which  Christ  so  earnestly  prayed. 

141 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Largely  through  the  influence  of  the  tithing 
members  of  the  Dallas  Central  Church,  the 
East  Dallas  Church  was  established,  and  imme- 
diately became  a  double  living  link.  Every 
member  of  the  official  board  became  a  tither. 
The  Foreign  Society  used  the  picture  of  the 
little  frame  East  Dallas  building  in  their  stere- 
optican  all  over  America,  to  great  advantage, 
as  one  of  the  churches  which  thought  of  others 
before  themselves.  The  mission  on  Thomas 
Avenue,  afterwards  the  Ross  Avenue  Church, 
the  Third  Avenue  Church  and  the  South  Dallas 
Church  were  also  established  largely  by  tithers 
from  Central. 

Recently,  at  the  dedication  of  the  South 
Dallas  Church,  a  workingman  and  his  wife, 
of  the  original  tithers,  having  saved  through 
the  years  enough  money  to  buy  a  rent-house, 
turned  this  house  and  lot  over  to  help  pay  for 
the  new  church  building,  saying:  "We  have 
one  house,  and  can  get  along  without  the 
other."  A  tither— Mr.  Harbour,  of  Ft.  Worth— 
who  went  to  Oklahoma  City  in  the  early  days, 
had  a  prominent  part  in  building  up  that  great 
church. 

A  notable  forward  stewardship  movement 
was  made  in  Texas  when  the  Austin  State  Con- 
vention authorized  a  committee  to  employ  a 
State  stewardship  secretary,  Claude  L.  Jones, 
who  was  secured  for  this  place,  and  his  first 
142 


EDUCATIONAL 


seven  months'  work  resulted  in  signing  more 
than  a  thousand  tithing  stewards.  This  work 
made  plain  to  the  churches  their  opportunity 
and  responsibility,  and  made  far  easier  the  suc- 
cess of  the  several  financial  campaigns  follow- 
ing. When  Secretary  Jones  went  to  France, 
H.  E.  Beckler  was  secured  for  secretary,  and 
has  already  done  a  phenomenal  work.  In  some 
places  85  per  cent,  of  the  audience  have  signed 
the  stewardship  covenant — in  loving  loyalty  to 
their  Lord,  and  as  an  acknowledgment  of  His 
ownership — to  pay  the  tenth  of  their  income 
for  God,  and  to  administer  the  remainder  of 
their  possessions  as  faithful  and  wise  stewards. 
They  have  also  covenanted  to  be  faithful 
stewards  of  their  personality  and  their  power 
of  prayer.  In  four  months  of  the  secretary's 
actual  work,  including  the  work  of  the  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  more  than  sixteen  hun- 
dred have  signed  covenants.  More  than  one 
hundred  stewardship  sermons  have  been 
preached  by  the  ministers  of  our  churches  in 
Texas  in  the  past  four  months  of  1919.  Twenty 
thousand  pamphlets  and  folders  have  been  sent 
out  by  the  workers.  These  have  gone  to  more 
than  twenty  States  of  the  United  States. 

The  appointment  of  a  national  stewardship 
secretary  was  authorized  at  the  Convention 
meeting  in   Cincinnati.     This   fall   of  1919, 
Christian  stewardship,  through  tithing,  is  being 
143 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


taught  to  the  ministerial  students  in  Texas 
Christian  University.  Prizes  are  being  offered 
for  best  essays  and  addresses  on  this  subject. 
These  teachers  are  doing  a  monumental  work 
for  stewardship.  Nearly  one-half  of  our 
preachers  in  Texas  are  preaching  and  talking 
of  this  vital  work.  Few  oppose  it,  and  nearly 
every  week  finds  new  names  of  ministers  upon 
the  list  of  covenant  signers.  Some  churches 
have  multiplied  their  offerings  by  three  since 
adopting  this  plan.  Every  one  who  has  tried 
it  is  happy  in  the  partnership,  and  the  satisfied 
user  of  this  divine  principle  is  its  best  adver- 
tiser. Bible  stewardship  is  the  one  hope  for 
the  early  completion  of  the  task  of  the  Dis- 
ciples of  Christ. 


144 


EDUCATIONAL 


TEXAS  CHRISTIAN  LECTURE- 
SHIP 

THIS  institution  was  begotten  in  the  I.  & 
G.  N.  Railway  station,  in  Taylor,  Texas, 
in  1888,  and  born  in  the  Commerce  Street 
Church  building,  in  Dallas,  some  two  or  three 
months  later.  A.  J.  Bush,  J.  B.  Sweeney  and 
the  writer  chanced  to  meet  in  the  depot  men- 
tioned, and,  in  a  conversation  of  an  hour  or 
so,  developed  the  plan  for  the  Lectureship. 
They  constituted  themselves  into  a  committee 
on  program  and  arranged  one,  writing  to  J.  T. 
Toof,  pastor  of  the  Commerce  Street  Church, 
requesting  the  privilege  to  announce  the  first 
session  to  be  held  there.  This  request  was 
readily  granted ;  the  meeting  assembled,  and 
the  Lectureship  was  born.  It  lived  through 
twenty-nine  years,  and  did,  as  many  thought, 
a  most  excellent  work.  The  purpose  was  pri- 
marily investigation.  All  kinds  of  problems 
were  studied — that  is,  problems  related  to  the 
religion  of  the  Christ.  These  questions  were  at 
times  doctrinal  and  at  others  practical.  A 
wide  range  of  study  was  conducted.  Many 
persons  were  anxious  for  the  Lectureship  who 
10  145 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


rarely  attended  any  other  of  our  general 
gatherings.  The  attendance  fluctuated  from 
year  to  year.  Sometimes  only  a  few  would  be 
present,  but  at  other  meetings  the  attendance 
was  large — once  reaching  as  many  as  three  hun- 
dred. 

At  twenty-two  of  the  twenty-nine  sessions, 
a  chief  lecturer,  as  he  was  known,  was  em- 
ployed. With  one  exception,  he  came  to  us 
from  another  State.  These  were  always  men 
who  were  leaders  in  the  line  they  were  asked 
to  discuss.  Still,  it  was  true  that  the  largest 
of  all  the  Lectureships,  so  far  the  attendance 
was  concerned,  was  when  we  had  no  chief 
lecturer. 

The  gatherings  were  as  follows:  In  1888, 
with  Commerce  Street  Church,  Dallas;  1889, 
with  the  same  congregation ;  1890,  Pearl  and 
Bryan  Street  Church,  Dallas;  1891,  Waco,  with 
B.  B.  Tyler  as  lecturer;  1892,  Thorp  Spring, 
with  J.  B.  Briney;  1893,  Waxahachie,  with  J. 
H.  Garrison;  1894,  Austin,  with  H.  R.  Pritch- 
ard;  1895,  Corsicana;  1896,  Bonham;  1897, 
Fort  Worth;  1898,  Waxahachie,  with  J.  W. 
McGarvey;  1899,  Greenville,  with  C.  L.  Loos; 
1900,  Taylor,  with  F.  D.  Power;  1901,  Waco, 
with  H.  L.  Willett;  1902,  Weatherford,  with 
Burris  Jenkins ;  1903,  Cleburne,  with  J.  W. 
McGarvey;  1904,  Temple,  with  D.  R.  Dungan; 
1905,  Denton,  with  Hiram  Van  Kirk;  1906, 
146 


EDUCATIONAL 


Palestine,  with  H.  L.  Calhoun;  1907,  Abilene, 
with  Clinton  Lockhart;  1908,  Waco,  with  H. 
L.  Calhoun ;  1909,  Dallas,  with  Charles  S.  Med- 
bury;  1910,  Sherman,  with  E.  L.  Powell;  1911, 
Denton,  with  B.  A.  Abbott;  1912,  Longview, 
with  R.  A.  Crossfield;  1913,  Fort  Worth,  with 
Peter  Ainslie;  1914,  Waxahachie,  with  George 
H.  Combs;  1915,  Vernon,  with  A.  B.  Philputt; 
1916,  Fort  Worth.  Where  no  name  as  chief 
lecturer  is  mentioned,  there  was  none. 

Prior  to  the  1916  Lectureship,  the  question 
of  abandoning  these  annual  gatherings  was  agi- 
tated. A  motion  to  this  effect  was  offered 
during  that  session.  The  attendance  was  small, 
perhaps  not  more  than  thirty  being  in  attend- 
ance. The  vote  on  the  resolution  was  a  tie, 
and  the  chairman,  Cephas  Shelburne,  gave  the 
deciding  vote  which  sent  the  Lectureship  into 
oblivion.    Perhaps  it  had  accomplished  its  task. 


147 


Benevolences 

The  Juliette  Fowler  Homes 


149 


BENEVOLENCES 


THE  JULIETTE  FOWLER 
HOMES 

M.  BOYD  KEITH 

"To  us  it  seemed  her  life  was  too  soon  done ; 
Ended,  indeed,  while  scarcely  yet  begun. 
God,  with  His  clearer  vision,  saw  that  she 
Was  ready  for  a  larger  ministry. ' ' 

THUS  felt  the  hosts  of  friends  when  Mrs. 
Juliette  Fowler  was  snatched  away  by 
death.  When  her  heart  interest  for  the  aged 
and  orphaned  was  made  known,  and  in  the 
now  fully  worked-out  plans,  we  are  made  to 
feel  "God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way  his  won- 
ders to  perform."  She  was  a  devoted  Chris- 
tian from  ten  years  of  age.  Her  married  life 
was  a  tragedy,  in  that  she  was  early  deprived 
of  her  husband  and  little  ones.  She  conceived 
a  passionate  fondness  and  tenderness  for  all 
motherless  and  homeless  children.  As  a 
natural  outgrowth  from  this,  she  began  to  plan 
the  founding  of  a  Home.  She  accumulated 
property  with  this  purpose  in  view.  Success 
attended  her  efforts,  and  she  planned  to  begin 
the  work  in  1889.  This  was  prevented  by  her 
death.  Her  sister  and  executrix,  Mrs.  Har- 
151 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


wood,  with  true  devotion,  gave  her  time  and 
strength  to  the  trust.  In  1903  she  handed  a 
deed  conveying  the  property  at  the  east  end 
of  Columbia  Avenue,  Dallas,  designated  by 
Mrs.  Fowler  as  the  permanent  site  of  the 
Homes,  money  and  other  properties,  and  a 
charter  from  the  State  of  Texas,  to  the  con- 
vention of  Christian  Churches  assembled  at 
Mineral  "Wells.  They  were  asked  to  provide 
suitable  buildings  and  sustenance  for  those  who 
should  find  homes  therein.  The  convention 
accepted  the  charge. 

Mrs.  Harwood  was  the  first  president  of  the 
Board,  continuing  to  the  time  of  her  death. 
The  country  was  thought,  by  many,  to  be  the 
best  place  for  the  Homes,  and  a  farm  of  two 
hundred  acres  was  bought  for  the  sum  of 
$10,000.  No  buildings  were  on  this  tract,  and 
a  small  piece  adjoining  was  leased,  on  which 
was  a  two-story  frame  building.  A.  J.  Bush, 
with  his  wife  and  daughter,  and  Miss  Pace 
were  placed  in  charge.  They  at  once  set  them- 
selves to  the  task  of  making  a  real  home  for 
the  children.  For  more  than  a  year  this  build- 
ing was  used.  This  was  the  first  effort  of  the 
brotherhood  to  provide  for  helpless  children, 
in  a  co-operative  way. 

On  July  7,  1904,  the  Homes  were  affiliated 
with  the  National  Benevolent  Association  of 
Christian  Churches.  January  26,  1904,  "Faith 
152 


BENEVOLENCES 


Cottage,"  a  two-story  brick  building,  erected 
on  the  farm,  had  been  dedicated.  This  pro- 
vided for  seventy  children.  Difficulties  multi- 
plied readily  with  the  attempt  to  manage  the 
farm.  This  was  sold  and  suitable  buildings 
were  erected  on  the  fifteen  acres  donated  by 
Mrs.  Fowler  for  this  purpose.  The  proceeds 
from  the  sale  of  the  farm  were  $30,000. 
The  transfer  of  the  orphans  to  the  new  build- 
ing was  in  1915.  This  Home,  with  the  interior 
unfinished,  cost  $45,000.  In  1911  the  Home 
for  the  Aged,  known  as  "Sarah  Harwood 
Hall,"  had  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  $30,000. 
Fifty  aged  saints  have  been  ministered  to 
through  its  efficient  service.  They  spend  their 
declining  years  in  a  well-equipped  Home,  in 
comfort  and  ease.  Religious  services  are  held 
in  the  Home,  and  those  who  are  able  to  do  so 
have  the  opportunity  to  attend  the  churches 
of  the  city.  The  brotherhood  can  have  no 
greater  cause  for  rejoicing  than  that  they  have 
made  possible  this  splendid  refuge  for  those 
who,  otherwise,  would  be  forced  to  spend  their 
lives  in  penury  and  want. 

More  than  forty  cases  of  scarlet  fever 
among  the  children,  and  six  months'  quaran- 
tine for  the  entire  household,  stressed  the  neces- 
sity for  facilities  for  isolation.  Physicians  and 
health  officers  said  our  fourth  floor,  an  un- 
finished attic,  could  be  made  into  desirable 
153 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


hospital  rooms.  Ten  thousand  dollars  was  used 
in  finishing  and  equipping  this  department. 
The  best  possible  medical  care  has  been  fur- 
nished by  Dr.  Leslie  Moore  and  his  splendid 
staff  of  twenty  of  the  leading  physicians  of 
the  city.  Hundreds  of  children  have  been 
cared  for  and  nursed  through  all  manner  of 
contagions;  yet,  in  seventeen  years,  there  have 
been  but  two  fatalities. 

For  years,  the  baby  ward  was  a  dream 
eagerly  looked  forward  to.  When  its  comple- 
tion seemed  a  certainty,  and  a  name  plate  was 
to  be  placed  on  the  door,  the  Board  unan- 
imously and  eagerly  insisted  that  no  name  was 
so  appropriate  as  that  of  our  Bro.  A.  J.  Bush. 
This  ward  they  would  dedicate  in  loving  tes- 
timony of  their  appreciation  of  the  oldest  and 
most  faithful  in  this  service,  one  who  from 
the  very  beginning  of  the  work  was  its  heart 
and  soul,  and  who,  in  his  old  age,  gave  liberally 
of  his  limited  means  that  the  work  might  be 
completed. 

Nowhere  can  the  same  full  measure  of  re- 
joicing be  found  as  in  review  of  a  baby  life 
spent  in  most  immoral  surroundings,  com- 
pletely orphaned  at  an  early  age,  and  turned 
to  our  Home  for  guidance  and  care.  There 
the  girl  learned  all  the  household  arts,  led  a 
class  of  four  hundred  in  physical  training  by 
five  per  cent.,  and  graduated  from  the  high 

154 


BENEVOLENCES 


school  at  the  age  of  seventeen  ready  for  a 
special  course  in  physical  training  to  fit  her 
for  a  position  in  the  open  field  of  physical 
directors.  This  is  one  of  the  really  worth- 
while things  over  which  to  rejoice  in  the  life 
of  one  of  our  older  girls.  This  fitting  for  life 
and  home  and  citizenship  is  the  return  which 
those  who  have  made  it  possible  are  now  receiv- 
ing on  their  investment. 

The  children  have  all  the  advantages  of 
the  public  schools  and  churches  of  the  city. 
They  come  in  touch  with  other  children,  and 
learn  a  self-reliance  and  self-assertiveness 
which  they  could  not  secure  elsewhere.  Our 
children  live  a  normal  life,  growing  up  as 
brothers  and  sisters  with  a  splendid  loyalty 
for  each  other.  Our  aim  is  to  get  as  far  from 
the  institutional  life,  and  as  near  to  the  home 
life,  as  possible. 

During  the  school  term,  study  hours  are 
observed  in  the  auditorium,  or  "living-room," 
as  we  prefer  to  call  it.  Here  it  is  that  com- 
pany is  received,  games  played  and  music 
from  piano  or  victrola  furnished.  They  live 
the  lives  of  American  lads  and  lassies.  The 
noise  and  romp  are  all  worth  while,  and  will 
be  a  sweet  memory  in  later  years. 

No  mention  of  these  Homes  could  be  com- 
plete without  reference  to  Mrs.  J.  C.  Mason, 
whom  to  know  is  to  love  and  to  appreciate. 
155 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


For  eighteen  years  she  has  been  the  chairman 
of  the  Admission  Committee,  and  has  listened 
to  the  heart-breaking  stories  and  the  life  trage- 
dies of  the  poor  unfortunates,  and  often  for 
lack  of  room  she  could  give  no  more  than 
comforting  words.  At  no  hour  of  day  or  night 
lias  she  been  too  busy  to  come  to  either  of 
the  Homes  when  called.  During  one  con- 
tagion, when  help  was  impossible,  and  when 
both  hospital  wards  were  full  to  overflowing, 
she  left  home  and  family  and  came  and  worked 
with  us  faithfully  for  a  week.  On  every  Sun- 
day for  more  than  a  year  she  has  taken  two 
or  three  home  with  her  for  the  day,  and  a 
wonderful  day  it  always  was  as  she  and  her 
family  gave  themselves  to  the  entertainment 
of  the  youngsters. 

Neither  would  this  brief  history  be  at  all 
complete  unless  something  is  said  of  the  appre- 
ciated matron,  Mrs.  E.  D.  Vawter.  In  this 
work  she  has  invested  her  life.  The  children 
love  her  for  her  own  worth,  and  the  Board  of 
Directors  take  supreme  pleasure  in  acknowledg- 
ing the  great  value  of  all  which  she  has  done. 
Largely  has  she  been  the  guiding  hand  of  the 
management  of  the  enterprise  since  the  day  of 
her  coming  to  the  Home.  She  has  reproduced 
herself  in  the  lives  of  many  who  have  been 
with  her,  and  many  others  are  being  molded 
into  splendid  types  of  men  and  women  because 
156 


BENEVOLENCES 


their  lives  have  touched  hers.  No  one  could 
have  predicted  what  would  be  in  the  making  of 
' '  Billy  Sunday, ' '  when  as  a  weak  and  orphaned 
lad  he  went  timidly  to  a  Home  for  orphans 
for  rearing.  It  paid  to  take  this  orphan  lad 
into  open  arms  and  hearts,  and  give  time  and 
thought  and  labor  and  money  as  investments. 
And  so  it  is  that  Mrs.  Vawter  and  all  who 
have  had  any  share  in  this  work  are  molding 
lives  for  humanity  and  for  God. 

"Who  gives  himself  with  his  gifts  feeds  three, 
Himself,  his  hungry  neighbor  and  Me." 


157 


Our  Remembered  Dead 


159 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 

I WRITE  not  of  those  whom  we  have  "loved 
and  lost,"  but  of  those  who  said,  "I  am 
ready  as  much  as  in  me  is,"  and  who  are  still 
present  "in  the  spirit."  They  need  no  monu- 
ments of  stone  that  their  memories  may  live 
with  those  who  knew  them  during  their  labors 
here.  We  were  inspired  by  their  faith,  and 
their  heroism  pointed  us  to  larger  and  higher 
service.  Those  whose  names  appear  in  this 
list  by  no  means  complete  the  company  "of 
whom  the  world  was  not  worthy."  I  have 
separated  them  into  four  groups. 

I.  Preachers  who  were  of  the  older  class 
in  1879,  my  first  year  in  Texas.  The  names 
of  some  of  these  will  not  be  familiar  to  some 
who  read  these  pages.  I  knew  them  personally, 
and  was  glad  to  count  them  among  my  friends. 
They  lived  and  labored  when  their  number 
was  few,  but  helped  nobly  to  prepare  the  fields 
for  the  laborers  of  to-day.  Well  may  we  ask 
ourselves  the  question  whether  or  not  we  appre- 
ciate the  faith  and  toil  and  sacrifice  of  these 
men  as  their  lives  deserve.  They  made  our 
task  possible  for  us;  they  blazed  the  way  and 
11  ifil 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


opened  the  path;  we  have  "entered  into  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them."  Their 
names  may  not  have  a  familiar  ring,  but  you, 
my  brother,  owe  to  them  a  debt  which  you  can 
repay  only  by  faithful  loyalty  to  the  mission 
for  which  they  lived  and  toiled  until  God  took 
them  hence. 

H.  D.  Bantau  labored  in  Parker  and  adja- 
cent counties.  He  was  a  man  of  culture.  True 
to  his  convictions,  he  gave  his  life  to  their 
service.  His  age,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  must 
have  approached  seventy-five  or  perhaps  more. 

J.  M.  Beard  was  one  of  the  great  pioneers 
among  our  people  in  Texas.  He  toiled  in 
various  portions  of  the  State,  but  the  churches 
of  Lamar  and  adjoining^ counties  are,  in  a  large 
measure,  monuments  to  his  consecrated  service. 
His  children  and  grandchildren  are,  to-day, 
faithful  disciples  of  their  Lord. 

Alfred  Padon  labored  in  eastern  Texas, 
with  his  home  in  Shelby  County.  This  was 
the  first  county  in  the  State  to  banish  the 
saloon  from  its  borders,  and  he  was  one  of  the 
factors  in  that  pioneer  achievement.  East 
Texas  heard  his  voice  for  many  years  as  he 
proclaimed  the  message  of  the  gospel.  Many 
of  the  congregations  of  that  section  were  helped 
to  their  degree  of  usefulness  by  him. 

162 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


Henry  Pangburn  came  to  Texas  from  Ken- 
tucky, settling  on  a  farm  in  Dallas  County, 
near  Hutchins,  in  the  70 's  of  the  last  century. 
He  was  one  of  the  most  Christly  men  whom 
I  ever  knew,  and  I  had  every  opportunity  to 
know  him  well.  The  ring  of  every  sermon  was : 
"I  believe,  and  therefore  I  speak."  During 
the  first  four  months  of  the  history  of  the 
church  at  Waxahachie — September  to  Decem- 
ber, 1878 — he  supplied  the  pulpit,  going  there 
from  his  farm.  Following  his  work  there,  mine 
began. 

T.  M.  Sweeney  lived  in  Houston  County, 
and  his  labors  as  a  preacher  were  chiefly  in 
that  portion  of  the  State.  He  was  the  father 
of  J.  B.  Sweeney,  who  will  be  mentioned  later 
in  these  memoirs,  a  worthy  father  of  a  worthy 
son.  Always  modest  in  his  manner,  he  never 
imposed  himself  upon  others,  but  was  ever  true 
to  that  which  he  believed  to  be  the  messages 
of  his  Master,  whether  they  were  calls  for 
teaching  or  for  service. 

Gen.  R.  M.  Gano  was  born  and  reared  in 
Kentucky,  son  of  John  Allen  Gano,  one  of  the 
pioneers  and  strong  preachers  of  the  early  days 
of  the  Restoration  movement.  He  served  four 
years  with  the  armies  of  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. Many  times  have  I  heard  old  soldiers 
who  had  served  under  him  speak  of  him  in 
163 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


terms  of  tenderest  affection.  He  came  to  Texas 
a  few  years  after  the  close  of  that  war.  An 
incident  illustrating  his  emotional  power  in 
evangelism  is  related  in  the  sketch  of  T.  W. 
Caskey.  Many  responded  to  the  gospel  invi- 
tation from  his  lips.  There  is  a  statement 
which  seems  to  be  well  established  that  Gen. 
George  Washington  Was  baptized  by  his  father. 
He  lived  at  Dallas  to  his  death. 

J.  A.  Clark,  father  of  Addison  and  Ran- 
dolph, was,  in  his  early  life,  a  successful  law- 
yer. He  relinquished  his  profession  for  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry.  The  story  of 
sacrifices  made  by  him  and  others  in  pioneer 
days  is  a  thrilling  one,  but  can  not  be  related 
here  as  it  is  a  history  within  itself.  With 
Addison  and  Randolph,  he  planted  in  Fort 
Worth  what  was,  later,  Add-Ran  College  in 
Thorp  Spring,  afterward  Texas  Christian  Uni- 
versity in  Waco,  and  still  later  returning  to 
the  place  of  its  birth.  For  a  time  he  edited 
and  published,  in  Thorp  Spring,  the  Texas 
Christian,  the  immediate  forerunner  of  the 
Christian  Courier.  He  died  at  his  home  in 
Thorp  Spring,  at  an  advanced  age. 

S.   R.   Ezzell  traveled  and  preached  in 
Texas  for  many  years.    Perhaps  no  man  among 
us    ever    preached    "first    principles"  with 
greater  clearness  or  with  larger  results  than 
164 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


did  he.  "The  Great  Legacy,"  a  book  written 
by  him,  was  widely  circulated  and  read  by 
thousands.  This  led  a  large  number  of  persons 
to  correct  views  concerning  things  funda- 
mental. I  have  known,  personally,  several 
active  and  successful  preachers  of  the  Word 
who  were  inspired  for  their  life-work  through 
the  study  of  this  book.  As  a  young  preacher, 
I  was  greatly  helped  by  a  study  of  that,  and 
of  his  chart.  He  was  many  years  my  senior, 
and  yet  we  were  close  friends,  and  I  officiated 
at  his  second  marriage — to  Mrs.  Quincy  A. 
Sweatt.  He  was  about  eighty  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  his  death. 

T.  W.  Casket  came  from  Mississippi  to 
Texas.  In  many  ways  he  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  men  who  have  preached  the  gospel 
in  the  State.  With  but  small  opportunities 
during  the  days  of  his  youth,  he  was  highly 
educated — his  education  came  not  from  com- 
mon schools  or  from  colleges.  His  sermons 
were  logical,  rhetorical,  poetic,  Scriptural.  His 
powers  of  description  were  marvelous,  and 
audiences  were  swayed  from  smiles  to  tears 
and  from  tears  to  smiles.  When  Caskey  had 
completed  his  argument,  reason  stood  con^ 
vinced.  He  was  chaplain  in  the  Confederate 
service,  and  was  known  as  "the  fighting  par- 
son." Tn  1866.  soon  after  the  close  of  that 
165 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


war,  he  attended  a  convention  of  Disciples  of 
Christ  held  in  a  Northern  city.  The  war  spirit 
had  not  yet  ceased.  Caskey  was  the  only 
Southern  preacher  present,  and  perhaps  the 
only  person  from  that  side  of  "Mason  and 
Dixon's  Line."  One  of  the  finest  orators  of 
the  churches  of  the  North  turned  his  guns 
against  the  late  Confederacy.  The  Southern 
preacher's  blood  boiled  furiously.  At  the  close 
of  the  address  he  arose  and  delivered  what 
has  been  characterized  as  the  greatest  speech 
of  his  life.  I  once  asked  him  to  reproduce  it 
for  publication,  and  his  reply  was:  "I  would 
cheerfully  give  all  that  I  possess  to  be  able 
to  do  so.  That  speech  was  begotten  and  born 
of  the  hour  and  the  occasion.  It  departed  after 
its  delivery  just  as  it  came — suddenly.  From 
that  moment  to  this  day  [twenty  years  later] 
I  have  never  been  able  to  recall  a  single  sen- 
tence." 

The  reader  will  pardon  the  relation  of  some 
incidents  which  show  some  of  the  many  sides 
of  this  wonderful  man.  He  was  never  a  re- 
cruiter as  a  preacher.  At  the  close  of  one  of 
his  colossal  sermons,  the  gospel  invitation  met 
with  no  response.  Bro.  R.  M.  Gano  was 
present,  and  followed  with  an  earnest  exhor- 
tation mingled  with  tears  which  streamed 
down  his  cheeks.  A  number  of  men  and 
women  pressed  eagerly  forward,  and  gave 
166 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


their  hands  to  the  preacher.  Brother  Caskey 
looked  on  with  amazement,  and,  after  the  con- 
fessions had  been  taken,  he  said  aloud : 
"Brother  Gano,  cry  some  more." 

During  a  session  when  the  Texas  Christian 
Missionary  Convention  was  in  the  throes  of 
birth,  in  Austin,  1886,  when  discussion  was  at 
high  tide,  Brother  Caskey  arose  to  his  height 
of  six  feet  three  inches,  and,  addressing  the 
body,  said:  "Mr.  Chairman,  I  arise  to  express 
my  supreme  contempt  for  this  whole  concern. 
I  have  a  contempt  for  Brother  Homan  [the 
convention  chairman]  and  for  those  who  are 
with  him,  because  they  can  not  see  that  they 
can  do  missionary  work  just  as  effectively  on 
another  plan  as  on  this  for  which  they  are 
contending.  And  I  have  a  supreme  contempt 
for  Brother  Wilmeth  [the  leader  of  the  oppo- 
sition] and  his  followers,  because  they  can  not 
see  that  there  is  no  more  differencce  between 
these  resolutions  and  the  plan  which  they  ad- 
vocate than  there  is  between  tWeedledee  and 
tweedledum."  A  reporter  who  was  listening 
to  Mr.  Caskey  for  the  first  time  made  great 
"copy"  from  the  speech,  and  a  half-dozen 
morning  papers  of  as  many  towns  published 
"stories"  of  the  "split"  and  of  "the  withering 
rebuke  administered  by  the  venerable  Dr. 
Caskey."  Some  of  us  who  were  among  the 
younger  men  suggested  to  Bro.  Charles  Carlton 
167 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


that  he,  being  near  Brother  Caskey's  age,  and 
a  very  close  friend,  could  induce  him  to  make 
some  statement  before  the  convention  which 
the  papers  would  give  to  the  public,  and  pre- 
sent the  situation  in  a  more  favorable  and,  as 
we  thought,  a  juster  light.  On  the  following 
morning  we  were  delighted  to  see  Brother 
Caskey  arise,  and  listened  eagerly  for  the  ex- 
pected speech  which  never  came.  He  said : 
"Mr.  Chairman,  I  arise  to  a  question  of  per- 
sonal privilege.  I  wish  to  make  an  apology. 
Yesterday  I  said  I  had  a  supreme  contempt 
for  this  whole  concern,  and  for  this  I  apologize, 
because  I  did  wrong  in  saying  it.  I  do  not 
mean,  sir,  that  I  apologize  for  feeling  the 
contempt.  That  I  could  not  avoid.  I  had  it, 
and  it  has  been  increased  tenfold.  I  should 
not  have  mentioned  it." 

"Uncle  Charlie,"  as  so  many  familiarly 
called  Bro.  Charles  Carlton,  emigrated  from 
England  to  the  United  States  while  he  was 
still  a  lad,  "working  his  passage."  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  hoped  to 
become  a  minister  in  that  brotherhood.  Dis- 
covering his  great  desire  for  an  education,  and 
seeing  in  the  boy  possibilities  worthy  of  culti- 
vation, a  gentleman,  whose  name  I  have  never 
learned,  proposed  to  see  that  a  way  would  be 
provided  for  him  to  complete  his  college  educa- 
168 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


tion  if  he  would  go  to  Bethany  College.  This 
was  during  the  days  of  Mr.  Alexander  Camp- 
bell's prime.  Gladly  the  boy  accepted  and, 
for  several  years,  sat  at  the  feet  of  that  won- 
derful man,  and  those  who  were  associated 
with  him.  The  beauty,  simplicity,  consistency 
and  Scripturalness  of  the  religious  teaching 
captivated  him,  and  he  became  a  devoted  ad- 
vocate of  the  principles  of  the  Restoration 
movement.  From  these  he  never,  for  a  mo- 
ment, swerved.  Coming  to  Texas,  he  settled  in 
Dallas,  where  he  taught  for  a  time.  From 
there  he  went  to  Kentuckytown  with  his  school 
and  then  to  Bonham,  where  "Carlton  College," 
a  co-educational  school,  began  its  course  of 
large  usefulness.  The  school  later  became  "a 
school  for  girls."  Of  this  he  was  the  president 
until  his  death.  Hundreds  of  young  men  and 
women  received  that  from  him  and  his  wife 
and  children  which  made  them  strong  Christian 
leaders.  Addison  and  Randolph  Clark  were 
among  this  number.  "Aunt  Sallie,"  as  Mrs. 
Carlton  was  lovingly  called,  was  a  worthy 
helper  to  this  useful,  godly  man.  They  were 
the  beginning  of  the  great  Bonham  Church, 
where  F.  "W.  O'Malley  now  so  successfully 
ministers,  as  well  as  of  numerous  other  con- 
gregations. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  conduct  the  services 
at  the  funerals  of  both  these  beloved  disciples 
169 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


of  our  Lord,  in  one  of  which  Bro.  Addison 
Clark  was  with  me.  Sister  Carlton  preceded 
her  husband  into  the  "Great  Beyond,"  but  for 
only  a  few  years.  Pardon  the  recital  of  an 
incident  which  is  a  precious  one  in  my  memory. 
A  message  came  from  his  daughter,  Miss 
Grace,  "Father  can  not  live  for  many  days." 
I  took  the  first  train  to  Bonham,  and  when  I 
entered  the  chamber — so  soon  to  be  one  of 
death — his  daughter  said:  "Father,  Brother 
Mc.  is  here."  His  vision  was  almost  gone,  and 
he  asked,  "Which  Brother  Me.?"  He  opened 
his  arms  and  called  me  to  him.  I  bent  over 
the  form  of  one  whom  I  loved  as  a  father. 
His  arms  encircled  me  as  he  drew  me  to  him 
and  kissed  my  cheek.  On  the  next  morning  I 
said  to  him:  "Brother  Carlton,  the  physician 
tells  me  that  you  are  stronger.  I  shall  return 
again  soon  and  see  you."  He  replied:  "Yes, 
we'll  meet  again.  We'll  meet  again."  To  this 
day  I  carry  with  me  the  precious  words,  and, 
after  the  years  of  separation,  I  am  looking  up 
and  whispering:  "We'll  meet  again." 

II.  Younger  men  who  were  here  in  1879, 
and  have  entered  into  rest. 

William  E.  Hall  was  the  popular  pastor 
of  the  congregation  in  the  capital  city  of  Aus- 
tin when  I  arrived  in  Texas.  He  was  perhaps 
the  most  magnetic  public  speaker  in  Texas  at 
170 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


that  time.  Large  crowds  flocked  to  hear  him 
wherever  he  spake.  I  once  heard  him  say  that 
his  ambition  was  to  be  a  greater  preacher  than 
any  man  living  at  that  time  in  the  State,  and 
he  wished  that  all  his  preaching  brethren 
might  outstrip  him  in  the  upward  climb.  I 
had  not  heard  of  his  death  until  so  informed 
by  Bro.  A.  J.  Bush.  He  left  Texas  a  number 
of  years  ago,  going  to  one  of  the  churches 
of  St.  Louis,  where  he  was,  for  a  time,  a 
brilliant  star.  He  was  not  a  practical  man ; 
rather,  he  was  a  dreamer.  He  dreamed 
of  standing  at  the  top  of  three  peaks — 
preaching,  lecturing,  editing.  Before  coming 
to  Texas,  he  had  established  a  paper — in  New 
Orleans,  I  think — known  as  The  Iron  Preacher. 
Upon  his  coming  here,  this  was  consolidated 
with  a  small  paper  being  published  by  C.  M. 
Wilmeth,  known  as  The  Christian,  and  the 
combined  paper  was  designated  The  Christian 
Preacher.  In  later  years,  he  published,  from 
New  York,  a  paper  known  as  The  International, 
and  dated  "New  York  and  London,"  though 
no  copy  of  it,  perhaps,  ever  crossed  to  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  While  attempting  its  pub- 
lication, he  traveled  and  lectured.  T  remember 
hearing  from  him,  in  our  church  in  Waxa- 
hachie,  four  remarkable  addresses.  One  of 
these  was  "The  Resurrection,"  and  another, 
"How  to  Get  Married  and  Stay  So."  After- 
171 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


wards  he  had  domestic  trouble,  his  wife  sepa- 
rating from  him.  Both  of  them  married  again, 
and  he  continued  giving  his  lecture  on  '  How 
to  Get  Married,"  etc.  As  mentioned  on 
another  page,  he  presented  the  first  resolution 
after  my  arrival  in  Texas,  before  the  old-time 
"State  meeting."  in  the  interest  of  an  organ- 
ized effort  for  missionary  purposes.  This  was 
in  my  home  town — vVaxahachie.  The  resolu- 
tion "got  nowhere,"  as  not  over  a  half-dozen 
persons  voted  for  it.  I  am  not  informed  either 
as  to  the  place  or  the  time  of  his  death. 

R.  0.  Charles  was  the  first  preacher  whom 
I  met  in  Texas.  His  home  was  at  Ennis.  He 
was  a  younger  man  than  L  Having  weak 
lungs,  he  felt  that  he  would  not  be  able  to 
give  many  years  of  service  to  his  Lord,  but 
he  gave  those  years  with  splendid  devotion, 
until  his  Master  called  him  to  "come  up 
higher."  I  believe  that  if  his  life  could  have 
been  spared,  he  would  have  become  one  of  our 
greatest  and  most  useful  preachers.  He  loved 
the  truth,  and  was  ready  for  either  life  or 
death. 

T.  R  Burnett  was  a  newspaper  man  of 
Bonham.  and  a  Methodist.  After  hearing  a 
number  of  Brother  Carlton's  sermons,  he  ac- 
cepted the  plea  to  which  he  had  been  giving 
careful  attention,  and  soon  after  changed  his 
172 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


secular  paper  into  an  advocate  for  primitive 
Christianity.  He  was  a  racy,  spicy  writer, 
and  always  interesting.  His  paper  was  known 
as  the  Christian  Messenger.  After  several 
years  he  moved  the  publication  from  Bonham 
to  Dallas.  Later  he  discontinued  the  periodical 
and  became  a  member  of  the  staff  of  the  Gospel 
Advocate,  of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  his  residence 
remaining  in  Dallas.  Later  he  severed  his  con- 
nection with  the  Advocate,  and  launched  a 
monthly  known  as  Burnett's  Budget.  He  was 
fond  of  debates,  whether  oral  or  written.  It 
behooved  one  who  met  him  to  study  his  ques- 
tion with  great  care. 

C.  M.  "Wilmeth  was  also  an  editor.  His 
paper  was  The  Christian  Preacher.  For  several 
years,  this  and  the  Christian  Messenger  were 
cotemporary.  At  that  time  the  field  could  not 
give  adequate  support  to  one  paper,  and  The 
Christian  Pre'a'cher  had  a  checkered  career.  The 
editor  was  a  ready  writer,  and  wielded  a  facile 
pen.  He  was  an  excellent  public  speaker,  and 
passionately  fond  of  discussion.  His  greatest 
obstacle  to  success  in  any  line  was  that  he  was 
visionary  beyond  all  due  grounds.  Great  things 
which  proved  to  be  mirages  were  always  just 
ahead.  Nazareth  University  he  launched  in 
an  exceedingly  small  room  in  "West  Dallas,  and 
then  moved  to  some  point  in  Arkansas,  where 
173 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


it  died  a  peacefxd  death.  His  scheme  for 
Christian  colonization  in  Mexico,  and  other 
projects,  were  among  the  attempts  which  at- 
tested the  lack  of  practical  thought.  As  a 
preacher  he  was  a  man  of  great  value.  His 
sermons  were  fruitful  of  vast  good.  For  a 
number  of  years  his  influence  as  a  preacher 
was  extensive.  He  died  penniless  in  Mexico. 
Friends  brought  his  body  to  his  old  home, 
where  it  lies  awaiting  the  morning  of  the  resur- 
rection. 

W.  Y.  Taylor  taught  school  and  preached 
in  "Weatherford  and  other  places.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  strength  of  character,  of  clear 
thought,  and  of  large  faith  in  the  things  of 
God.  His  life  was  pre-eminently  useful,  al- 
though he  did  not  attain  a  degree  of  eminence 
as  a  public  speaker.  His  thought  and  prepara- 
tion were  always  good,  but  his  address  was 
rather  too  deliberate  for  the  greatest  efficacy. 
He  was  teaching  and  preaching  at  Beeville  at 
the  time  of  his  death. 

W.  C.  Dimmitt  was,  for  a  number  of  years, 
minister  for  the  church  in  Sherman,  where  he 
was  universally  beloved,  and  his  memory  is 
revered  to  this  day.  His  picture  is  on  a  me- 
morial window  of  the  present  church  building. 
He  was  conservative  in  the  sense  that  he  was 
never  "foolhardy"  in  his  attempts  in  the  direc- 
174 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


tion  which  he  thought  he  should  move.  He  had 
ideals  and  aims,  but  bided  his  opportunity.  As 
a  preacher,  he  stirred  the  intellect,  the  heart 
and  the  life,  while  his  own  life  was  ever  an 
eloquent  sermon  for  righteousness.  The  growth 
and  usefulness  of  the  Sherman  congregation 
were,  and  are,  a  monument  to  his  faith  and 
service.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  were  spent 
in  what  is  known  as  "The  Panhandle"  section 
of  the  State. 

The  name  of  John  A.  Lincoln  will  never 
fade  from  my  memory.  While  I  was  still  in 
Kentucky,  with  my  eyes  and  hopes  turned 
toward  Texas,  a  letter  came  to  me  from  one 
whom  I  had  never  seen — a  letter  filled  with 
information  which  I  needed,  and  with  invita- 
tion which  allured  me.  That  letter  was  one  of 
a  link  of  things  which  brought  me  to  Texas. 
From  the  moment  I  read  those  pages,  I  counted 
the  writer — John  A.  Lincoln — as  my  friend, 
and  that  friendship  grew  without  the  semblance 
of  "the  sere  and  yellow  leaf."  Brother  Lin- 
coln was  an  apostle  for  primitive  Christianity 
throughout  Texas  for  many  years.  The  multi- 
tudes baptized  by  him,  and  the  congregations 
planted  through  his  labors,  bear  witness  to  his 
energy  and  devotion  and  faith  and  loyalty. 
Pages  might  be  filled  with  the  story  of  the  life 
of  this  man  of  righteousness — this  son  of  God. 
175 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


J.  B.  Faulkner  lived  and  preached  foi 
years  in  Collin  County.  He  and  R.  C.  Horn 
(who  still  labors  there)  and  A.  M.  Douglass 
were  intimately  associated  in  the  work  in  that 
section  of  the  State.  He  was  a  devout  lover 
of  the  gospel,  and  preached  its  message  with 
power.  His  memory  will  long  linger  affec- 
tionately in  the  hearts  of  many. 

"W.  J.  Jones,  father  of  F.  G.  Jones,  of 
Denton,  Tex.,  labored  in  the  middle-south- 
ern portion  of  the  State.  During  the  active 
years  of  his  ministry,  I  met  him  only  a  few 
times,  as  our  fields  were  far  apart.  Those  who 
knew  him  well  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of 
both  his  personality  and  his  work. 

"William  Alexander  preached  in  the  Lam- 
pasas and  San  Saba  sections  of  Texas.  He 
was  a  typical  Westerner,  and  was  known  far 
and  wide  as  "Bill  Alex."  His  heart  was  as 
big  as  the  great  West  where  he  lived ;  I  never 
knew  a  more  genial  or  more  cordial  man  than 
he.  "When  his  preaching  brethren  visited  his 
field  of  labor,  his  great  delight  was  to  enter- 
tain them  in  his  hospitable  home  and  in  his 
cordial  manner.  He  preached  the  truth,  but 
always  in  love.  He  had  no  use  for  the  shil- 
lalah,  but  he  found  no  place  for  a  compromise 
with  anything  which  he  believed  to  contravene 
the  teachings  of  the  Word  of  the  Lord.  He 
176 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


was  sorely  missed  when  death  came  to  call  him 
away. 

A.  M.  Douglass  lived  at  Melissa  for  many 
years.  When  I  came  to  the  State  he  was  one 
of  the  best  known  evangelists  here,  and  his 
services  were  called  for  from  many  sections. 
And  there  was  a  reason  for  these  calls — he 
did  faithful  and  fruitful  work.  It  was  a  joy 
to  be  called  to  labor  with  him,  and  to  share 
the  hospitality  of  his  home.  Not  a  night  could 
be  spent  there  without  the  conversation  trend- 
ing toward  the  movements  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  Lord.  The  closing  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  comparative  obscurity  by  reason  of 
the  feeble  condition  of  his  body.  He  loved 
the  cause  and  the  brethren  to  the  last. 

J.  R.  Darnall  lived  and  labored  and  died 
in  Collin  County.  He  was  a  graduate  from 
Bethany  College.  After  coming  to  Texas,  he 
settled  on  a  farm  which  he  had  bought,  and 
for  the  remainder  of  his  life  successfully  con- 
ducted its  business.  He  was  one  of  the  really 
strong  preachers  of  Texas,  but  was  severely 
handicapped  by  the  growing  deafness  which 
became  almost  complete.  His  son  is  now  a 
representative  of  Phillips  University,  of  Okla- 
homa, and  a  diligent  and  useful  gospel 
preacher. 

12  177 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Dr.  W.  L.  Harrison  was  a  successful  prac- 
titioner of  medicine,  but  he  surrendered  this 
for  service  as  a  minister  of  the  Word.  His 
home  was  in  Bell  County,  and  his  labors  were 
largely  in  that  section  of  the  State.  His 
pulpit  efforts  were  fruitful,  and  he  was  a 
ready  writer.  For  years  he  was  a  familiar 
figure  at  the  State  conventions.  He  died  at  his 
residence  in  Troy. 

A.  J.  Bush.  After  the  manuscript  for  these 
pages  had  been  forwarded  to  the  publishers. 
Brother  Bush  joined  the  ranks  of  ctOur  Re- 
membered Dead."  How  worthily  he  adorns 
the  place.  Truly,  one  of  the  choicest  spirits 
among  our  Lord's  disciples  has  passed  from  his 
earth's  labor  to  reward.  Like  the  great  apostle, 
he  fought  the  good  fight,  finished  the  course 
and  kept  the  faith. 

Many  years  ago  a  preacher  reached  a  small 
town  in  Missouri  to  bear  the  message  for  which 
he  was  giving  his  life.  A  miller  from  a  near- 
by community  happened  to  be  in  the  village, 
and  was  told.  "A  man  from  Virginia  will 
preach  here  to-day."  The  miller  heard  the 
sermon,  and.  after  reaching  his  home,  said  to 
his  wife:  "There  is  a  man  in  town  preaching, 
and  he  tells  it  just  like  it  reads  in  the  Book ; 
we  must  hear  him."  They  heard  him,  and, 
at  the  close  of  the  first  sermon,  accepted  the 
178 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


invitation.  The  preacher  was  Alexander  Camp- 
bell, and  the  man  and  woman  were  the  grand- 
parents of  A.  J.  Bush.  These  two  became 
faithful  disciples  of  the  Lord,  and  lived  to  see 
their  own  son  preach  the  same  message  "just 
like  it  read  in  the  Book."  Later,  the  son  of 
this  man — A.  J.  Bush — became  a  devoted, 
faithful,  successful  preacher  of  the  same  gospel, 
and,  still  later,  his  son,  George  L.  Bush,  of 
Missouri,  dedicated  his  life  to  the  proclamation 
of  the  very  same  glorious  message.  What  a 
wonderful  line  of  work  Mr.  Campbell  inaugu- 
rated on  that  day  in  the  little  Missouri  town 
when  he  preached  that  sermon  "as  the  Book 
told  it." 

Bro.  A.  J.  Bush  began  his  work  in  Texas 
in  the  very  sparsely  settled  regions  of  the 
State,  in  the  year  1876.  He  traveled  over  vast 
scopes  of  country,  on  horseback,  in  a  buggy, 
on  foot,  and  slept  wherever  he  could  find  a 
place  to  lay  his  head,  which  at  times  was  by 
the  roadside  far  from  the  habitation  of  man. 
My  introduction  to  this  man  came  from  read- 
ing a  brief  article  from  him,  in  the  little  paper 
known  as  The  Christian  Preacher,  in  which  he 
pleaded  for  co-operative  effort  in  giving  the 
gospel  to  the  needy  portions  of  Texas.  Some 
of  us  thought  he  was  setting  his  traps  to  lead 
the  church  of  Jesus  Christ  into  the  snares  of 
Babylon.  He  persisted ;  others  began  to  open 
179 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tlieir  eyes,  just  a  little  bit  at  a  time,  until  that 
for  which  he  pleaded  and  prayed  and  worked 
was  inaugurated.  The  story  of  the  organiza- 
tion is  related  in  another  place.  Brother  Bush 
was  selected  as  the  logical  first  apostle  for 
tins  work.  For  nine  years  he  led  us,  and  the 
cause  rapidly  advanced.  He  was  wise,  gentle, 
patient,  peristent,  godly.  After  the  nine 
years  he  believed  the  task  should  be  given  into 
other  hands,  and  he  entered  another  field  of 
service,  but  was  soon  called  to  that  of  establish- 
ing a  home  for  the  orphan,  and,  later,  another 
for  the  aged.  The  part  which  two  noble  sis- 
ters had  in  this  is  told  elsewhere.  The  insti- 
tutions stand  as  monuments  to  the  memory  of 
the  three.  Without  the  two  sisters,  he  could 
not  have  done  his  work ;  their  hopes,  without 
his  labors,  would  have  been  fruitless. 

Brother  Bush  was  near  the  close  of  the 
seventy-fourth  year  of  his  life  when  he  left 
us,  after  having  kept  his  bed  for  two  days. 
"With  his  family  about  him,  he  said:  "Would 
not  it  be  glorious  if  God  should  take  me  now?" 
In  a  little  while  he  peacefully  fell  asleep.  His 
burial  was  on  the  forty-fourth  anniversary  of 
his  marriage  to  her  who  shared  with  him  the 
toils  and  the  glories  of  service.  The  funeral 
was  held  in  the  Oak  Cliff  Church,  where  he 
had  his  membership.  During  the  service  the 
utmost  quiet  and  reverence  prevailed,  so  well 
180 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


did  the  people  love  him.  There  were  no  un- 
controlled expressions  of  grief  from  his  family. 
They  knew  in  whom  the  husband  and  father 
and  friend  had  believed,  and  rejoiced,  in  the 
midst  of  their  quiet  tears,  that  he  was  with 
his  Saviour  and  at  rest. 

Addison  Clark  was  a  native  of  Texas.  His 
education  came  from  the  early  schools  of  the 
State,  from  his  father,  from  Carlton  College, 
and  from  his  own  later  research.  He  was  a 
scholar  in  the  true  sense  of  that  word.  He 
confessed  his  faith — so  I  have  heard  the  story 
— in  Palestine,  Texas,  under  the  preaching  of 
Dr.  Carroll  Kendrick,  when  he  was  a  bare- 
footed boy  of  ten  years  of  age.  Such  a  story, 
standing  alone,  would  mean  but  little  to  the 
most  of  men,  but  wrapped  in  that  "barefooted 
boy  of  ten  years"  were — what?  What  an  un- 
folding of  possibilities  and  of  realizations 
there  was  through  the  years  which  followed. 
There  stood  the  student,  the  writer,  the  preach- 
er, the  president,  the  force  in  hundreds  of  lives, 
the  man.  As  stated  in  another  place,  he  and 
his  brother  Randolph  and  their  father  began 
at  Fort  Worth  that  which  is  now  Texas  Chris- 
tian University.  As  Add-Ran  College,  it  served 
the  world  for  years  at  Thorp  Spring,  and  dur- 
ing that  time  Addison  Clark  was  the  president. 
He  was  noted  for  a  strict  discipline  which  was 

181 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


well  mingled  with  sympathy  and  gentleness, 
always  kind  and  always  firm.  Some  interest- 
ing stories  have  been  related.  I  ask  that  we 
pause  for  the  relation  of  two ;  of  the  first  I 
am  personally  cognizant. 

At  a  chapel  service,  he  spoke  something 
like  this:  "There  have  been  a  nnmber  of  notes 
passed  between  young  men  and  young  ladies  of 
this  student  body.  This  is  a  violation  of  our 
rules.  I  desire  to  see  in  my  classroom  all  who 
have  either  received  or  sent  such  notes,  as  well 
as  those  who  have  been  the  bearers.  No  guilty 
person  will  remain  away."  The  young  people 
were  in  a  dilemma.  If  those  of  whom  the 
president  had  no  information  should  report, 
their  guilt  would  become  known ;  if  those  of 
whom  he  had  knowledge  should  fail  to  report, 
they  would  be  subject  to  severe  punishment. 
On  the  whole,  the  safer  course  was  to  report. 
By  Brother  Clark's  invitation,  I  was  present 
and  saw  the  room  crowded  with  students.  After 
a  most  appropriate  talk  closing  with  admoni- 
tions and  announcements,  the  president  said: 
"And  now.  young  gentlemen,  if  you  have  not 
sufficiently  unbosomed  yourselves,  you  have 
that  opportunity.  Proceed  to  speak,  to  whom- 
soever you  please,  the  things  which  struggle 
for  utterance."  A  few  painful,  embarrassing 
moments  followed,  when  a  young  man  broke 
the  stillness  by  asking:  "Mr.  Addison,  do  you 
182 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


mean  that  we  retire  and  speak  those  words  in 
private  ? ' ' 

Some  of  the  students  planned  for  a  mid- 
night chicken  dinner.  Two  were  delegated  to 
furnish  the  fowls,  which  were  to  be  taken  from 
a  near-by  roost.  One  was  to  deliver  the  chick- 
ens from  the  limb  as  the  other  held  the  birds. 
"Mr.  Addison,"  who  had  heard  of  the  plan, 
crept  through  the  darkness  to  the  tree.  The 
lad  on  the  ground  fled  at  the  near  approach 
of  the  president,  but  had  no  opportunity  to 
give  warning  to  his  chum.  The  president  took 
his  place  at  the  base  of  the  tree,  and  received 
the  chickens  from  the  unsuspecting  boy  above, 
who  was  somewhat  embarrassed  when  he  de- 
scended and  discovered  the  change  of  partners. 

A  sermon  from  Brother  Clark,  heard  by  me, 
has  remained  with  me  through  the  years.  This 
was  in  Waxahachie,  during  the  first  year  of 
my  ministry  in  Texas.  The  subject  was  "The 
Gospel  Message,"  and  near  its  close  the  preach- 
er said  something  like  this :  ' '  And  some  would 
tell  us  this  gospel  is  but  a  delusion.  If  so, 
what  a  precious  delusion — one  which  goes  with 
redemptive  power  to  men  and  women  in  the 
depths  of  sin,  and  wonderfully  saves;  which 
carries  to  hardened  souls  the  cheer  of  light  and 
hope ;  brings  inspiration  to  the  discouraged, 
dispels  the  gloom  of  the  tomb,  envelops  the 
grave  in  glory,  and  forms  a  rainbow  from  the 
183 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tears  of  those  who  mourn  beside  their  dead. 
A  delusion — let  me  press  it  to  my  soul  till 
death  shall  call  me  hence."  As  these  words 
were  being  spoken,  Mr.  John  C.  Gibson  could 
not  wait  for  the  song  of  invitation.  Climbing 
over  the  knees  of  those  between  him  and  the 
aisle,  and  scrambling  over  Anson  Rainey — now 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Civil  Court  of  Appeals — 
who  sat  in  a  chair  in  the  aisle,  he  rushed  to 
the  front.  Dr.  R.  P.  Sweatt,  an  old  friend, 
ran  to  meet  him,  and  the  two  held  each  other 
in  a  glad  embrace.  It  seemed,  that  evening, 
as  if  heaven  and  earth  had  kissed  each  other. 
Brother  Gibson  continued  as  a  power  in  the 
church  until  his  death.  He  was  the  first  of 
his  family  to  identify  himself  with  the  Disci- 
ples. Later  many  of  his  family  were  baptized 
by  me  there.  C.  W.  Gibson,  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  Texas  Christian  University,  and 
whom  the  Texas  brethren  know  and  love  for 
his  work's  sake,  is  a  son  of  the  convert  of 
that  evening. 

There  remains  at  least  one  other  in  this 
class  who  is  to  be  mentioned — W.  K.  Homan. 
Though  small  in  physical  stature,  he  was  a 
giant  in  intellect  and  in  soul.  He  was  among 
the  ablest  of  Texas  lawyers,  and  a  preacher  of 
ability.  For  years  he  was  editor  of  the  Chris- 
tian Courier,  being  the  first  of  the  list — and 
184 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


may  I  not  say  "the  best"?  If  I  were  not  in 
the  list  of  editors  myself,  I  should  hesitate  to 
speak  so  candidly.  Others  have  been  great, 
but  Homan  was  great.  Speaking  of  his  stature, 
calls  to  mind  a  story  which  he  was  fond  of 
relating.  Two  men  were  charged  with  incen- 
diarism, and  Homan  was  attorney  for  the  de- 
fense. The  prosecuting  attorney  was  long  and 
lank.  A  man  who  knew  neither  the  prisoners 
nor  the  attorneys  came  to  hear  the  trial,  en- 
tering the  room  when  there  was  a  pause  in  the 
proceedings.  In  his  attempt  to  study  the  situa- 
tion he  made  the  mistake  of  supposing  that 
the  well-groomed  prisoners  were  the  attorneys, 
and  Homan  and  the  other  attorney  the  prison- 
ers. One  of  the  lawyers,  discovering  the  man's 
mistake,  whispered  to  him :  ' 1  Friend,  what  do 
you  think  of  the  pair?"  Shifting  his  quid 
to  the  other  side  of  his  mouth,  and  squirting 
the  saliva  in  several  directions,  he  thus  de- 
livered himself:  "I  been  a-studyin'  them  thar 
fellers,  and  I'll  tell  you  just  how  it  is.  That 
thar  long,  ganglin'  feller — he  ain't  pretty,  but 
he's  smart.  He  planned  that  whole  business, 
and  that  little,  dried-up  chap  he  sot  the 
match. ' ' 

Homan  was  a  lifelong,  sworn  enemy  to  the 
saloon  and  to  the  liquor  traffic.    For  years  he 
closed  every  article  with  the  words  "the  saloon 
is  doomed."    This  was  the  close,  regardless  of 
185 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  nature  of  the  article.  This  began  when 
men  were  counted  as  "fanatics"  and  "cranks" 
if  they  dared  to  speak  a  word  against  that 
entrenched  power  of  iniquity.  The  prophecy 
seemed  to  the  many  to  be  foolish  words.  The 
saloon  doomed — preposterous !  But  Homan 
was  a  torch-bearer  in  the  darkness  of  the  night. 
I  can  imagine  the  delight  which  mingles  with 
the  otherwise  heavenly  glory  of  his  face  as  he, 
to-day,  looks  upon  the  spot  where  he  fought 
battles  for  the  generations  to  come,  and  sees 
his  prophecy  fulfilled.  This  was  the  begin- 
ning of  his  warfare — a  beloved  brother  had 
fallen  a  victim,  and  Homan  swore  that  his 
sword  should  never  be  sheathed  until  the  saloon 
should  be  no  more.  Before  the  day  of  victory 
came,  the  sword  fell  from  his  weakening  grasp, 
weakened  not  by  loss  of  courage  or  of  resolve 
or  of  faith  or  of  hope,  but  by  death.  Before 
the  weapon  touched  the  earth,  it  was  grasped 
again,  and  the  battle  waged  to  victory. 

I  sat  beside  a  lawyer  on  a  railway  train, 
and  heard  this  story  from  him:  "During  a 
State  prohibition  campaign,  my  father  was  one 
of  the  champion  orators  for  the  antis.  He  was 
billed  to  speak  in  Fort  "Worth.  You  know 
him  to  be  a  popular  and  influential  speaker. 
The  prohibitionists  asked  for  a  division  of  time, 
which  was  granted.  Mr.  Homan,  whom  my 
father  had  never  met,  was  the  chosen  opponent. 
186 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


When  they  were  introduced,  father  took  what 
he  supposed  to  be  the  measure  of  'his  man,' 
but  made  the  serious  mistake  of  estimating 
only  that  which  was  in  sight.  He  felt  perfectly 
safe.  As  he  spoke,  Mr.  Homan  listened,  but 
made  no  notes,  and  father's  confidence  grew 
by  bounds.  He  changed  his  mind  later.  I  tell 
you,  sir,  that  he  did  not  leave  so  much  as  a 
grease-spot  of  what  there  had  been  of  pa." 
Such  was  Homan 's  record  whenever  he  en- 
gaged in  debate  with  a  defender  of  the  saloon. 
He  who  met  him,  and  at  the  same  time  at- 
tempted to  endorse  the  iniquitous  institution, 
was  playing  with  death. 

During  his  life,  the  occasion  was  rare  when 
Brother  Homan  and  I  disagreed  upon  any 
proposition.  However,  this  did  occasionally 
occur,  and  once  or  twice  we  differed  widely. 
He  always  defended  valiantly  that  which  he 
believed ;  Homan  was  ever  a  Christian  gentle- 
man, and  altogether  too  big  for  contemptible 
flings.  When  I  stood,  for  the  first  time,  beside 
his  grave  I  bared  my  head  and  felt  that  a 
royal  soul  stood  near.  Death  came  to  him  in 
Colorado,  Texas. 

III.  In  the  third  list  are  the  names  of  many 
preachers  who  have  passed  from  the  company 
of  Texas  workers.    I  wish  I  had  the  space  for 
such  tributes  as  these  men  deserve.    I  knew 
187 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


them  all  personally.  They  moved  bravely  in 
the  ranks  of  service,  and  left  for  their  heavenly 
home  at  the  close  of  the  day.  These  I  shall 
mention  in  alphabetical  order: 

J.  A.  Abney  lived  in  Lampasas  for  years, 
but  preached  at  various  places.  One  of  the 
last  points  of  his  service  was  Italy,  Texas. 
He  was  a  man  of  large  physique  and  of  strong 
mind.  His  work  was  confined,  principally, 
to  small  towns  and  rural  sections,  combining 
business  affairs  with  his  ministerial  labors. 
This  part  of  his  work  perhaps  prevented  his 
having  as  large  a  part  as  he  would  otherwise 
have  had  in  the  actual  planning  and  perfecting 
of  the  program  for  the  larger  work  in  the 
State. 

D.  D.  Boyle  was  a  Texas  product,  having 
been  reared  near  Denison.  He  began  his  min- 
istry in  this  State,  and  then  left  us  for  a 
number  of  years,  later  returning.  He  devel- 
oped into  an  evangelist  of  considerable  influ- 
ence, and  achieved  much  success  in  that  work. 
He  died  in  the  southern  part  of  Texas,  where 
he  was  making  his  home,  only  a  short  while 
ago. 

R.  W.  Boggess  was  one  of  the  most  untiring 
workers  whom  I  have  ever  known.    He  was. 
for  several  years,  in  the  employ  of  the  Texas 
188 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


Christian  Missionary  Board,  during  the  period 
when  J.  C.  Mason  was  the  superintendent.  I 
was  a  member  of  the  Board  at  the  time,  and 
knew  much  as  to  the  merit  of  his  work.  There 
was  not  one  of  the  employees  whom  Mason 
held  in  higher  regard  for  his  work's  sake.  He 
never  saw  a  proposition  so  fraught  with  diffi- 
culties which  he  dreaded  to  undertake  if  it  was 
offered  to  him  and  should  be  done.  In  passing 
some  pleasantries,  I  once  said  to  him:  "Bog- 
gess,  if  you  were  to  meet  a  stone  wall  in  your 
path,  I  think  you  would  have  no  more  judg- 
ment than  to  go  straight  through  it  head  fore- 
most." His  widow,  daughter  of  A.  J.  Bush, 
is  now  matron  for  girls  in  Trinity  University, 
Waxahachie.  This  is  no  intimation  that  she  is 
a  Presbyterian — only  that  when  this  excellent 
institution  needed  a  first-class  matron,  the 
managers  had  the  good  sense  to  look  for,  until 
they  found,  what  J.  C.  Mason  calls  "a  plain 
Christian." 

C.  L.  Cole.  No  man  in  Texas  was  ever 
more  beloved  by  those  among  whom  he  labored 
than  was  he.  His  home,  during  the  closing 
years  of  his  life,  was  at  Garland,  where  he 
preached  for  years,  and  laid  the  foundation  for 
the  excellent  work  now  being  done  by  that 
congregation,  led  by  "one  of  my  boys,"  Logan 
Martin.  His  sermons  were  true  to  the  gospel 
189 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


message,  because  he  was  true  to  the  Christ. 
This  he  preached  with  great  heart  power.  His 
physical  frame  was  weak,  but  his  brain  and 
soul  were  strong.  A  large  concourse  gathered 
for  the  funeral  service,  many  traveling  for 
long  distances  to  bear  testimony  of  their  love 
and  their  sense  of  his  worth.  He  held  many 
protracted  meetings  which  resulted  in  leading 
many  souls  to  the  Christ,  many  of  these  being 
to-day  active  workers  in  the  kingdom. 

George  Clark.  Only  those  who  were  here 
years  ago  will  remember  this  brother.  His 
labors  were  in  Kaufman  and  Ellis  Counties, 
chiefly.  I  knew  him  well,  and  we  were  thrown 
together  frequently  in  our  work.  He  preached 
once  a  month  for  a  certain  church  which  is 
now  dead — not  the  fruit  of  his  preaching — 
but  made,  during  that  year,  no  effort  whatever 
to  induce  persons  to  attach  themselves  to  the 
congregation.  Some  of  the  brethren  approached 
him,  inquiring  as  to  the  reason  for  this  unusual 
course.  He  sent  them  away  fully  informed 
with  his  thought.  Whether  or  not  it  satisfied 
them  may  be  considered  doubtful.  His  reply 
was :  "I  do  not  ask  men  and  women  to  become 
members  of  this  congregation,  for  the  reason 
that  if  I  should  induce  them  to  do  so  they 
Would  be  in  danger  of  becoming  tenfold  more 
the  children  of  the  devil  than  they  are  as  it 

190 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


is."  Clark  loved  the  church  and  the  Christ. 
He  may  not  have  always  been  as  politic  as 
conditions  would  have  justified.  But  he  was 
as  honest  as  the  day  was  long. 

Stephen  Collier  was  one  of  the  saintly 
men  among  us.  When  I  was  a  very  young 
man,  in  the  mountain  town  of  Mount  Vernon, 
Kentucky,  he  came  occasionally  and  preached. 
I  heard  him  then,  and  always  respected  and 
loved  him.  Many  years  later  he  came  to  Texas 
and  settled,  I  think,  in  Bell  County.  His 
health  was  poor,  and  this  hindered  his  activity 
as  he  longed  it  to  be.  During  his  stay  in  the 
State,  I  saw  him  only  one  or  two  times.  He 
died  quite  a  number  of  years  ago. 

R.  F.  Carter's  Texas  work  was  largely  in 
Ellis  County,  though  I  think  he  preached  for 
the  church  in  Marshall.  In  Ellis  County  he 
ministered  to  the  congregations  in  Italy,  Mil- 
ford  and  Midlothian.  His  death  occurred  at 
the  last-named  place.  He  was  always  a  most 
faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ.  His  weakened 
body  could  not  keep  pace  with  the  desires  of 
his  spirit.  Those  who  knew  him  the  best  loved 
him  the  most.  In  places  where  he 'labored,  his 
name  is  frequently  mentioned,  and  always  in 
love. 

Wiley  B.  Carnes  and  I  preached  our  first 
sermons  in  the  same  house,  though  his  was  a 
191 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


number  of  years  later  than  was  mine.  This 
was  in  Burkesville,  Kentucky,  in  the  same 
building  where  I  was  also  ordained  and  mar- 
ried. This  is  a  first-class,  small  village  nestled 
in  the  foot-hills  of  the  mountains  of  southern 
Kentucky  and  northern  Tennessee.  I  did  not 
meet  Brother  Carnes  for  several  years  after 
he  began  to  preach,  and  this  was  in  Texas. 
At  the  time  he  began  his  ministry,  he  was 
editing  and  publishing  the  village  paper  in 
Burkesville.  His  labors  here  were  chiefly  in 
central-north  Texas.  He  died  at  McKinney, 
one  of  the  most  useful  citizens  of  the  town, 
serving  as  secretary  to  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce, and  preaching  at  points  near  by. 

J.  J.  Cramer  was  a  saintly  man — not  that 
he  was  long-faced,  not  that  he  bore  the  appear- 
ance of  the  would-be-counted-overrighteous, 
but  that  he  was  saintly  in  the  New  Testament 
sense  of  that  word.  Every  fiber  of  his  being 
was  consecrated  to  the  service  of  his  Lord, 
and  of  the  children  of  the  God  of  heaven. 
His  Texas  field  of  labor  was  at  Lockhart,  and 
there  he  did  a  monumental  work,  leaving  it 
only  when  rest  was  the  only  known  possibility 
for  a  little  longer  continuance  of  life.  He  did 
not  live  long  after  leaving  Lockhart  and  the 
State.  He  sought  diligently  for  strength  that 
he  might  give  it  to  humanity  and  to  humanity's 
192 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


God,  but  this  was  not  to  be  granted  to  him. 
A  large  portion  of  his  library  was,  after  his 
death,  donated  by  his  wife  to  the  Brite  College 
of  the  Bible,  where  it  does  such  service  as 
he  would  have  wished  for  it  to  do.  The  church 
of  Lockhart  remembers  him  in  tenderest  affec- 
tion. 

William  Bayard  Craig  was  with  us  but  for 
a  very  few  years — perhaps  not  longer  than  for 
two  or  three  at  most.  He  was  a  rare  spirit 
and  an  excellent  preacher.  Men  spoke  of  him 
as  "a  live  wire,"  and  that  he  was.  The  city 
of  San  Antonio  felt  the  power  of  his  life  and 
of  his  pulpit  teachings.  He  went  from  Texas 
to  Colorado — to  Denver. 

W.  H.  D.  Carrington  was  a  lawyer  preach- 
er. He  was  one  of  the  strong  men  of  the 
brotherhood,  though  his  preaching  was  confined 
to  his  own  immediate  vicinity.  His  home  was 
in  Austin.  His  part  in.  the  attempted  forma- 
tion of  a  missionary  work  which  was  to  be 
according  to  certain  policies  which  he  thought 
of  as  "the  Lord's  plan,"  is  mentioned  else- 
where. 

J.  L.  Crane  preached  for  the  churches  at 
Bryan,  Lancaster,  and,  possibly,  other  points. 
He  died  in  Fort  Worth,  after  being  with  us 
for  several  years.  We  did  not  live  in  Fort 
Worth  at  the  same  time,  and  my  acquaintance 
13  193 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


with  him  was  only  casual.  It  was  never  my 
opportunity  to  study  his  work  at  close  range, 
and  I  can  not,  therefore,  speak  with  accuracy. 
However,  I  have  frequently  heard  him  spoken 
of  as  being  a  most  acceptable  preacher  of  the 
Word. 

0.  A.  Carr  was  president  of  Carr-Burdette 
College  at  Sherman.  This  institution  was 
founded  by  him  and  his  wife.  He  was  a  clear 
thinker  and  writer.  His  writings  were  more 
popular  than  were  his  spoken  addresses.  The 
last  sentence  should  not  be  understood  as  mean- 
ing that  he  was  dull  or  prosy  in  the  composi- 
tion of  his  speeches.  This  was  far  from  being 
true,  but  he  was  not  popular  in  the  style  of 
his  delivery.  The  thought  of  all  which  he  pro- 
duced, spoken  or  written,  was  excellent.  The 
school  which  bears  the  original  name  is  at 
present  presided  over  by  Brother  and  Sister 
Cephas  Shelburne. 

S.  W.  Crutcher  spent  but  a  few  years  in 
Texas,  and  died  in  Missouri.  He  was  a  genial 
character,  and  his  companionship  was  always 
enjoyable.  He  did  not  consider  a  good  laugh 
as  being  contrary  either  to  nature  or  to  the 
principles  of  Christianity.  My  impression  is 
that  his  last  work  in  this  State  was  with  the 
church  of  Van  Alstyne.  His  sermons  were 
thoughtful,  well  prepared  and  well  received. 
194 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


 Ciiallenner  was  a  graduate  of 

Bethany  College  of  Virginia.  He  lived  and 
died  at  Taylor,  Texas.  He  was  one  of  the  best 
thinkers  with  whom  I  ever  conversed,  and  his 
favorite  themes  were  those  associated  with  the 
kingdom  of  God  among  men.  A  weakened 
body  prevented  his  doing,  during  his  sojourn 
in  this  State,  the  work  for  which  his  soul 
yearned.  Often  has  he  sat  in  the  audience 
where  I  was  speaking,  and  always  an  inspira- 
tional auditor. 

J.  T.  Eanes  came  to  Texas  from  Tennes- 
see, and  settled  in  Italy,  where  he  and  R.  L. 
Barham  and  a  Brother  Sites  took  charge  of  a 
school  which  had  been  planted  and  fostered 
by  Alexander  Holt.  The  school  thrived  for 
years  before  the  firm  dissolved.  Barham  is,  I 
understand,  with  Johnson  Bible  College  of  Ten- 
nessee, and  Brother  Sites  died  years  ago. 
Brother  Eanes  did  much  evangelistic  work,  and 
always  with  success.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
acceptable  preachers  among  the  younger  class 
of  the  State.  When  he  died,  Texas  and  the 
South  lost  one  who  would  have  counted  for 
large  things  in  the  church  of  the  Redeemer. 

John  Ferguson  was  one  of  several  preach- 
ers who  went  out  from  the  Rock  Church,  not 
far  from  Manor  and  Austin.    When  I  knew 
him  first  he  was  pastor  of  the  congregation  at 
195 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Taylor.  There  was  no  intention,  of  being  cler- 
ical in  his  bearing,  and  yet  he  had  such  an  air. 
His  tone  of  voice  and  motion  and  gesture  were 
of  that  type,  but  he  was  sociable  and  genial 
and  comfortable  in  any  company.  He  was  one 
of  the  true  servants  of  the  Christ,  and  to 
labor  with  him  was  indeed  a  joy. 

George  A.  Faris  came  from  Tennessee  to 
Texas  in  the  year  1882,  and  settled  and  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Cleburne.  He  was  a 
dentist.  In  the  spring  of  1883  he  accepted  the 
pastorate  of  the  church  of  Waxahachie,  where 
he  preached  for  about  two  years.  Later  he 
was  county  evangelist  of  Navarro  County,  and 
then  preached  for  the  church  at  Italy,  together 
with  other  points.  As  I  now  remember,  he  was 
pastor  at  Abilene,  Weatherford,  Corsicana, 
Paris,  McKinney  and  Gainesville.  For  nine 
years  he  published  and  edited  the  Christian 
Courier.  Following  this  work,  still  residing 
at  Dallas,  he  preached  for  near-by  congrega- 
tions for  a  time,  and  then  went  to  Hereford 
for  pastoral  work.  After  closing  work  there, 
he  preached  at  Plainview.  Resigning  that 
work  because  of  ill  health,  he  went  to  the 
southern  portion  of  the  State,  and  then  to  the 
residence  of  his  son  in  Ennis,  where  he  died. 
Brother  Faris  possessed  an  exceptionally 
strong  mind,  and  was  an  extensive  and  careful 
196 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


reader.  His  sermons  were  of  a  high  order. 
He  grew  in  strength  through  the  years.  As  a 
writer,  he  always  commanded  interested  at- 
tention. He  served  on  various  Boards  con- 
nected with  the  work  of  the  Disciples  in  the 
State,  being  himself  a  part  of  the  work  here 
for  thirty  years. 

J.  N.  Gibson  may  have  been  a  preacher  in 
Texas  when  I  came.  Not  being  sure  as  to  this, 
I  place  him  in  this  list.  He  labored  chiefly  in 
the  middle  and  southwestern  portions  of  the 
State.  His  work  was  principally  in  the  rural 
districts,  and  in  the  smaller  towns.  He  was 
ever  known  as  a  diligent  and  consecrated  and 
unselfish  worker  for  the  cause  which  he  perhaps 
loved  above  all  others.  While  his  fame  may 
not  have  reached  so  far  as  that  of  some  others, 
he  was  certainly  known  and  honored  by  the 
King. 

Baxter  Golightly  perhaps  preached  at  a 
larger  number  of  places  in  the  State,  as  regular 
preacher,  than  any  other  man  among  us.  This 
was  not  because  the  people  tired  either  of  him 
or  of  his  work,  but  because  he  felt  that  his  life 
could  be  made  of  larger  service  by  such  a  pro- 
gram. His  labors  ranged  from  the  central 
portion  of  north  Texas  to  the  far  west,  and 
from  the  north  to  the  south.  He  was  exceed- 
ingly genial,  and  counted  as  a  prince  among 
197 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


men.  The  men  of  the  ranches  of  western  Texas 
always  counted  him  among  their  best  friends. 
He  loved  humanity,  his  work  and  his  Lord. 
He  died  but  a  brief  while  ago,  honored  by  all 
who  knew  him. 

J.  P.  and  E.  B.  Holmes  were,  I  think, 
brothers.  Their  labors  were  chiefly  in  the  west- 
ern portion  of  the  State.  Although  I  knew 
both,  I  never  was  with  them  intimately  in 
their  work,  and  my  knowledge  is,  therefore, 
limited.  In  a  general  way,  I  know  them  both 
to  have  been  diligent  workers  for  primitive 
Christianity. 

Dr.  William  Hale  began  his  work  as  a 
preacher  when  he  was  nearing  middle  life,  and 
later  still  began  the  practice  of  medicine. 
During  his  work  as  a  preacher  I  was  editor 
and  manager  of  the  Christian  Courier.  No 
other  person  sent  such  long  lists  of  subscribers 
to  the  paper  as  did  he,  and  always  accom- 
panied by  the  money.  As  I  now  remember  it, 
he  never  received  a  cent  for  his  commission. 
It  seemed  to  me  as  if  practically  every  family 
represented  in  the  lists  of  new  recruits  also 
became  members  of  the  Courier  family.  He 
was  a  remarkable  evangelist  in  the  rural  sec- 
tions and  smaller  towns,  large  numbers  of  per- 
sons obeying  the  gospel  under  his  ministra- 
tions. His  purpose  was  always  the  greatest 
198 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


possible  accomplishment  for  the  kingdom.  He 
died  in  Oak  Cliff.  Of  his  death  I  had  not 
been  informed  until  it  was  told  me  by  Bro. 
G.  D.  Smith.    I  hold  his  memory  as  precious. 

Jesse  B.  Haston  lived  in  the  State  for 
quite  a  number  of  years,  and  died  in  Califor- 
nia. He  preached  at  Huntsville,  and  other 
places  which  do  not  now  occur  to  me.  He 
was  one  of  the  close  students  of  the  Texas 
brotherhood — a  student  of  books.  His  sermons 
were  always  carefully  prepared.  It  was  never 
my  opportunity  to  hear  him  preach.  Although 
he  was  ever  a  friend  to  all  advance  movements 
of  the  brotherhood,  he  was  not  closely  iden- 
tified with  any  of  these,  more  than,  as  many 
are,  through  co-operation  in  contributions,  etc. 

J.  W.  Higbee  preached  for  the  church  in 
"Waco,  but  was  in  the  State  for  only  a  brief 
time.  He  was  frail  in  body,  but  strong  in 
mind,  in  heart,  in  interest  in  things  good  for 
humanity  and  in  faith.  His  short  time  here, 
and  the  condition  of  his  health,  prevented  his 
being  actively  enlisted  in  the  work  of  a  general 
character.  Always  was  his  interest  in  those 
things  made  manifest  to  the  limit  of  his 
strength. 

Harry   Hamilton   was   an   Englishman — 
born  and  reared  there.    His  first  Texas  home 
199 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


was  in  the  vicinity  of  Lovelady,  where  he  lived 
and  died.  He  was  a  licensed  Methodist  preach- 
er, but  gladly  accepted  the  plea  of  the  Restora- 
tion movement  when  he  understood  it.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  versatile  of  men — could  sing 
or  make  shoes,  build  a  house  or  make  pictures, 
make  a  set  of  harness  for  his  horse  or  a  dress 
for  his  wife,  work  with  delicate  fabrics  or  shoe 
a  horse,  doing  all  with  a  near  approach  to 
perfection.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  a  giant, 
whether  he  moved  in  logic  or  in  poetry  or  in 
word  painting.  He  was  exceedingly  social  with 
those  of  his  inner  circle,  but  cared  not  for 
its  widening — if  you  got  on  the  inside,  you 
either  climbed  the  fence  or  forced  the  gate ; 
he  did  not  throw  open  the  entrance  and  invite 
you.  He  preached  about  two  years  for  the 
Waxahachie  Church,  and  about  the  same  length 
of  time  in  Sherman.  He  was  ever  beloved  by 
those  who  really  knew  him,  and  none  were  his 
enemies,  so  far  as  I  knew. 

William  Holloway,  familiarly  known  as 
"Billy,"  was  one  of  the  genuinely  consecrated 
preachers  of  the  gospel  of  eastern  Texas.  None 
knew  him  but  to  admire  and  trust  and  love 
him.  He  was  a  soulful  man,  with  his  being 
aflame  with  devotion  to  truth.  His  home  was 
at  Longview,  and  his  field  of  labor  in  that 
section  of  the  State.  Members  of  his  family 
200 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


are  now  pillars  of  strength  for  the  cause  of 
primitive  Christianity  in  the  same  vicinity 
where  he  lived  and  labored  and  died.  Al- 
though he  has  been  gone  from  the  earth  for 
many  years,  men  and  women  speak  frequently 
of  "Billy  Holloway, "  and  repeat  words  which 
he  spoke,  and  refer  to  deeds  which  he  did. 
His  memory  is  a  hallowed  one. 

   :  Haines  was  in  the  State  but  a 

brief  time.  It  was  never  my  privilege  to  be 
intimately  associated  with  him.  Frequently 
have  I  heard  most  favorable  mention  of  his 
sermons  and  of  his  work  and  of  his  life.  I 
regret  that  I  had  not  known  him  better.  He 
was  pastor  of  the  church  at  Mineral  Wells,  and 
died  in  Fort  Worth  in  a  hospital  after  a  pain- 
ful illness. 

R.  R.  Hamlin — there  was  a  prince  in  Israel. 
He  preached  for  the  churches  of  Piano,  Pales- 
tine, McKinney,  Fort  Worth  (First)  and 
Wichita  Falls.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he 
was  minister  to  the  congregation  of  Johnson 
City,  Tennessee.  He  did  much  work  of  an 
evangelistic  character,  and  always  successfully. 
If  he  ever  experienced  a  lazy  hour,  no  one 
seems  to  have  discovered  it.  He  constantly 
planned  and  worked  to  some  new  achievement. 
His  people  counted  him  as  true  to  both  them 
and  to  his  Lord.  An  example  of  this  devotion 
201 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


was  given  impressively  when  the  news  reached 
Wichita  Falls  that  he  had  died  at  a  sanitarium 
in  Michigan.  Sister  Hamlin  was  on  her  sad 
journey  with  the  body  to  Johnson  City  for 
burial,  when  she  was  intercepted  by  a  telegram 
requesting  that  she  divert  her  course  and  bring 
the  body  to  "Wichita  Falls  for  burial,  tenderly 
and  lovingly  requesting  the  privilege  of  being 
permitted  to  bear  all  the  expense  of  travel 
and  burial.  This  appeal  of  love  could  not  be 
resisted,  and  his  body  lies  in  the  cemetery  of 
that  city. 

G.  W.  Hollingsworth  lived  and  died  in 
the  part  of  the  State  in  the  vicinity  of  Pales- 
tine. His  home  was  at  Grapeland,  and  there 
his  widow  and  daughters  live  at  present.  He 
was  a  devoted  and  worthy  disciple  of  our  Lord. 
His  life  was  a  message  as  well  as  the  sermons 
which  he  spoke  from  the  pulpit.  His  memory 
is  sacred  to-day  where  he  was  known  and 
where  he  labored,  though  many  years  have 
passed  since  he  was  taken  away.  I  knew  him 
personally,  and  loved  him  for  his  many  lovable 
traits  of  character,  as  well  as  for  his  devotion 
to  the  common  cause  for  which  he  stood. 

A.  L.  Johnson  lived  and  died  in  Fort 
Worth,  having  come  to  Texas  from  Kentucky, 
where  he  had  taught  and  preached  for  years. 
It  is  a  pleasure  to  be  able  to  pay  a  just  tribute 
202 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


here  to  this  worthy  man.  We  have  heard  it 
said  that  sometimes  a  former  preacher  makes 
trouble — of  course,  unintentionally — for  a 
preacher  who  comes  later.  Brother  Johnson 
had  been  a  minister  to  the  First  Church  of 
Fort  Worth,  and  was,  during  my  more  than 
five  years  there  as  pastor,  an  elder  of  the  con- 
gregation. I  was  thrown  in  contact  with  him 
frequently  and  intimately.  During  that  time 
the  congregation  passed  through  some  of  its 
history  which  has  had  much  to  do  with  its  later 
advancement  and  usefulness.  More  than  one 
noted  forward  step  was  taken  by  the  congre- 
gation. Never  did  a  pastor  have  a  more  loyal 
support  from  a  brother  minister  than  I  had 
from  him  through  those  years.  There  was  not 
the  slightest  suggestion  of  opposition.  I  do 
not  mean  that  he  tamely  submitted  to  dicta- 
tion ;  far  from  this  was  his  nature.  The  record 
of  the  period  was  that  every  proposed  move- 
ment was  thoroughly  discussed  in  the  joint 
meetings  of  elders  and  deacons,  at  the  ma- 
jority, if  not  all,  of  which  he  was  present  and 
participating;  and  during  those  years,  when  a 
final  vote  was  taken  on  any  proposition,  never 
was  a  negative  vote  cast  by  any  member  of  the 
Board.  For  harmony,  those  years  could  not 
be  surpassed.  And  for  this  harmony  Brother 
Johnson  was  largely  responsible.  When  the 
time  came  for  me  to  stand  over  his  dead  body 
203 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


and  speak  words  of  tribute,  I  felt  not  the  least 
twinge  of  conscience  for  speaking  as  I  did. 
His  life  was  one  of  blessed  memory. 

J.  S.  Kendrick  sojourned,  for  a  few  years, 
among  Texans,  preaching  for  the  Commerce 
Street  Church  of  Dallas.  That  was  his  only 
field  of  labor  in  the  State.  He  came  to  us 
from  Kentucky,  and  returned  to  his  native 
soil,  preaching  for  the  church  of  Danville, 
where  he  died.  He  was  in  Texas  at  the  time 
of  the  organization  of  the  Texas  Christian 
Missionary  Convention,  which  achievement  was 
accomplished  in  Austin,  in  1886.  An  account 
of  that  is  recorded  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 
Kendrick  was  a  member  of  the  "Committee  on 
Resolutions,"  which  departed  from  all  prec- 
edents of  its  predecessors,  bringing  in  a  re- 
port very  much  out  of  the  line  of  reports 
which  we  had  been  accustomed  to  hear,  result- 
ing in  the  organized  work  which  has  followed 
in  the  State.  He  was  a  most  genial  companion, 
an  earnest  preacher,  a  diligent  worker,  and,  at 
all  times,  a  faithful  man  of  God.  Texas  re- 
gretted being  forced  to  surrender  him,  but  the 
lure  was  beyond  his  power  to  resist.  He 
carried  back  to  his  old  home  the  love  and 
respect  of  his  brethren  here. 

G.  W.  Lewellyn  was  a  teacher  in  one  of 
the  schools  of  Kentucky  when  he  accepted  a 
204 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


call  from  Texas  Christian  University.  From 
the  first  day  of  his  arrival  his  popularity  began 
and  grew  with  students  and  teachers  as  well 
as  with  those  "on  the  outside."  It  was  upon 
his  shoulders  that  the  mantle  of  J.  B.  Sweeney 
seemed  to  fall,  although  those  brethren  never 
knew  each  other  face  to  face.  Their  souls 
were  stirred  by  the  same  great  impulse- — op- 
portunity of  advancement  for  the  preacher 
boy.  Brother  Lewellyn  made  a  canvass  of  the 
State  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  building 
in  which  ministerial  students  might  lodge  and 
board  at  much  cheaper  rates  than  could  other- 
wise be  provided.  He  secured  from  Mrs.  Goode, 
of  Bartlett,  the  sum  of  $10,000  for  this  pur- 
pose, this  being  supplemented  by  others,  and 
"Goode  Hall"  stands  as  a  monument  to 
Brother  Lewellyn  and  Sister  Goode.  He  was 
named  as  dean  of  the  College  of  the  Bible. 
His  students  loved  him  devotedly,  and  honored 
his  sincere  devotion  to  the  truth  as  it  is  to  be 
found  in  the  New  Testament  Scriptures.  At  a 
time  when  it  seemed  as  if  his  great  work  had 
only  begun,  he  was  called  to  his  reward  above. 

J.  J.  Lockhart  was  one  of  the  most  indi- 
vidualistic men  I  have  known.  He  told  me 
that  when  he  was  a  young  man,  beginning 
his  efforts  as  a  preacher,  a  well-meaning 
brother  came  to  him  with  the  advice:  "Brother 
205 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Lockhart,  I  advise  you  to  give  up  all  hope 
of  ever  becoming  a  preacher,  and  attempt  some- 
thing else.  You  can  never  succeed  at  this." 
He  listened,  but  was  not  convinced,  and  said 
to  his  own  soul:  "I  will  show  him  some  day 
that  I  have  made  a  preacher."  And  he  did. 
His  sermons  were  strong,  clear,  forceful,  per- 
suasive, Scriptural,  fruitful.  His  last  pastorate 
was  at  Marshall,  Texas.  Other  points  in  the 
State  where  he  toiled  were  Ennis,  Palestine 
and  Greenville.  He  was  married  three  times. 
I  had  known  his  second  wife,  but  had  not  seen 
the  third  until  he  came  to  Waxahachie  for 
the  State  Convention.  When  he  introduced  me 
I  said :  ' '  Lockhart,  how  did  you  manage  to  find 
such  a  splendid  woman  for  a  wife?"  Instantly 
he  sprang  to  his  feet,  and,  in  the  presence  of 
his  wife  and  a  number  of  others,  said: 
"McPherson,  as  a  marryist,  I  am  a  success." 
I  have  been  with  him  in  the  hours  of  his 
Gethsemanes  and  in  the  days  of  his  Hermons, 
and  always  found  him  to  be  the  same.  I  loved 
him  as  a  brother. 

E.  F.  Major  I  never  saw,  but  have  been 
so  closely  associated  with  his  family  that  it 
seems  to  me  that  I  knew  him  well.  His  home 
was  in  Rusk  County,  where  he  farmed  and 
preached  and  died.  He  was  the  father  of  the 
Peatown  Church,  preaching  there  for  thirteen 
206 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


years,  closing  this  with  his  death.  Although 
he  has  been  dead  for  almost  forty  years,  he 
has  not  been  forgotten.  Those  who  knew  him 
treasure  his  memory.  The  church  which  he 
planted,  and  for  which  he  labored  through 
those  thirteen  years,  still  lives  and  serves.  A 
most  notable  circumstance  is  that  Bro.  J.  A. 
Livsey,  who  married  his  daughter,  is  to-day 
the  preacher  for  that  same  church,  and  has 
been  thus  engaged  for  twenty-five  or  thirty 
years.  He  has  taught  and  preached  in  the 
community  during  the  time.  Recently  he  at- 
tempted to  close  his  work  as  teacher,  after 
twenty-five  years  of  continuous  service,  but  a 
petition  signed  by  every  patron  of  the  school 
throughout  the  entire  district  urging  him  to 
continue  forced  his  acceptance. 

R.  E.  McKnight  left  Texas  many  years 
ago,  and  died  in  California.  He  served  the 
First  Church  of  Fort  Worth.  He  was  frail 
in  body,  but  diligent  in  service.  The  chief 
hindrance  to  his  greatest  success  was  a  disposi- 
tion to  look  for  other  fields  where  a  more 
roseate  hue  seemed  to  be  on  the  things  which 
were  distant. 

D.  R.  Pickens'  home  was,  during  the  larger 
part  of  his  stay  here,  in  Tyler.    It  was  there 
that  he  died.    Serving  for  small  salaries,  he,  by 
careful  management,  saved  $20,000,  which  he 
207 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


invested  in  Church  Extension.  His  sermons 
were  well  prepared,  and  his  life  was  clean,  and 
his  influence  right. 

D.  W.  Pritchett  was  one  of  our  strong 
preachers,  and  a  singer  of  wide  reputation. 
His  services  in  song  were  in  frequent  demand, 
and  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  tear  away  from 
such  calls  to  do  the  work  which  lay  nearest 
his  heart.  He  served  in  many  evangelistic 
campaigns  before  he  succeeded  in  saying  "No" 
to  these  calls.  He  and  B.  B.  Sanders  were 
coworkers  in  many  campaigns,  and  always  with 
large  success.  As  a  preacher,  he  labored  in 
Van  Alstyne,  McKinney,  Greenville  and  other 
points.  The  splendid  building  at  Greenville 
was  constructed  during  his  pastorate.  His 
closing  days  were  marked  by  ill  health.  The 
loss  of  physical  strength,  which  compelled  him 
to  relinquish  the  work  he  loved  so  dearly, 
brought  gloom  to  his  soul.  His  body  lies  in 
the  Van  Alstyne  Cemetery. 

A.  0.  RiALL  was  of  a  family  known  well  by 
me  in  Kentucky,  though  my  first  association 
to  any  large  extent  with  him  was  in  Texas. 
He  was  both  a  teacher  and  a  preacher,  and  he 
always  expressed  to  me  the  opinion  that  the 
field  for  his  greatest  usefulness  was  in  the 
schoolroom.  However,  he  was  a  strong  preach- 
er, and  was  most  acceptable  as  such  to  his 

208 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


brethren.  He  served  a  number  of  good  church- 
es as  pastor,  the  last  of  these  in  Texas  being 
that  of  Tyler.  He  was  president  of  the  Cam- 
den Point  (Mo.)  School  for  Girls  for  several 
years,  and,  for  a  time,  held  a  chair  in  Texas 
Christian  University.  He  was  a  man  of  ster- 
ling worth,  and  was  appreciated  by  those  who 
knew  him.  This  was  made  manifest  at  the  time 
of  his  funeral,  when  a  large  number  of  persons 
of  different  religious  organizations  from  a  town 
thirty  miles  distant  came  to  pay  their  tribute, 
and  appointed  one  of  their  number  to  express 
their  own  appreciation  of  his  true  worth  as 
they  saw  it.  He  closed  his  earth  life  at  Grape- 
land,  where  he  was  buried. 

J.  Rodecker  was  not  known  by  face  to  a 
large  number  of  his  Texas  brethren,  because 
he  persisted  in  remaining  within  the  lines  of 
his  own  field  of  service.  His  brethren  would 
present  him  with  purses  containing  sufficient 
means  for  him  to  pay  all  expenses  in  attend- 
ance at  conventions,  but  these  were  always 
declined.  And  yet  he  was  in  hearty  accord 
with  all  our  organized  work.  His  friends  made 
repeated  efforts  to  induce  him  to  change  this 
life  policy,  but  to  no  avail.  At  the  time  of 
his  death,  he  was  preaching  for  the  churches 
of  Lindale,  Mineola  and  Big  Sandy.  Neither 
of  these  congregations  for  a  moment  harbored 

14  209 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  thought  of  exchanging  him  for  any  other 
preacher.  And  so  he  remained  and  preached 
with  fervor  and  with  power,  and  built  up  the 
waste  places  in  his  own  vicinity,  and  served 
his  Lord  in  the  smaller  field,  because  he  would 
not  go  to  the  larger.  He  died  at  Lindale, 
where  loving  hands  and  hearts  paid  tributes 
to  his  memory. 

F.  D.  Srygley  came  to  Texas  from  Ala- 
bama. He  was  one  of  "The  Larrimore  Boys." 
He  was  a  speaker  and  writer  of  force  and 
power.  He  edited  and  published  T.  W.  Cas- 
key's  "Seventy  Years  in  Dixie."  In  Texas 
he  was  minister  to  the  church  of  Paris.  He 
was  a  genial  gentleman,  and  I  was  glad  to 
hold  such  close  relationship  with  him  as  ex- 
isted between  us.  From  here  he  went  to 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  as  a  member  of  the  staff 
of  the  Old  Path  Guide,  a  periodical  founded  by 
Frank  G.  Allen.  While  in  Texas  he  was  an 
ardent  advocate  for  the  organization  of  a  State 
missionary  society.  Later,  he  became  one  of 
the  editors  of  the  Gospel  Advocate,  and  op- 
posed with  zeal  all  organizations  for  missionary 
or  other  church  purposes  more  than  the  local 
church  organization.  He  died  during  his  term 
of  service  on  the  Advocate. 

R.  T.  Skiles  was  a  Texas  product,  and  a 
young  man  of  large  promise.    He  died  in  early 
210 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


life.  He  was  minister  to  the  church  in 
McKinney  and  the  Commerce  Street  Church  of 
Dallas,  and  died  in  that  city.  Brother  Skiles 
was  one  of  the  few  who  took  part  in  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Texas  Christian  Sunday 
School  Convention,  which  preceded  the  Texas 
Christian  Missionary  Convention  one  year. 

Lawrence  W.  Scott  was  counted  as  "pe- 
culiar." He  lived  and  died  a  bachelor.  Upon 
one  occasion  he  announced,  in  Corsicana,  that 
he  would  preach  a  sermon  in  which  he  would 
give  his  objections  to  the  various  churches  of 
the  town.  He  did  so,  including  the  Baptist, 
Methodist,  Presbyterian,  Roman  Catholic  and 
Episcopalian.  As  he  introduced  each,  he  an- 
nounced his  objection  as  being:  "They  place 
too  much  stress  on  baptism."  The  Catholics 
made  it  a  saving  ordinance,  the  Methodists  and 
Presbyterians  and  Episcopalians  forced  it  on 
the  babies,  as  if  a  few  drops  of  water  could 
be  of  any  help  to  them,  and  the  Baptists  named 
their  church  after  the  ordinance.  He  then 
proceeded  to  present  the  Bible  teachings  con- 
cerning the  ordinance,  as  he  understood  it. 
During  a  portion  of  his  ministry  he  opposed 
having  either  song  or  Scripture  reading  or 
prayer  at  the  opening  of  the  services.  His 
position  was  that  "Peter  arose  and  said,  'Men 
and   brethren,'   and    proceeded   to  preach." 

211 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Scott  followed  that  order,  but,  after  a  time, 
surrendered  that  "  peculiarity . "  His  sermons 
were  always  instructive.  He  was  author  of 
several  books — one,  "The  Texas  Pulpit,"  con- 
taining sermons  from  about  thirty  preachers 
who  were  here  at  that  time ;  another,  ' '  Chris- 
tian Evidences,"  a  most  excellent  production, 
and  a  third,  "The  Mooted  Question,"  for 
which  I  never  cared. 

J.  0.  Shelburne  preached  for  the  Central 
Church  of  Dallas,  and  later  at  Lancaster.  He 
was  an  evangelist  of  considerable  power.  For 
a  brief  time  he  was  associated  with  his  cousin, 
Cephas  Shelburne,  and  with  J.  C.  Mason  as 
proprietors  and  editors  of  the  Christian  Cou- 
rier. Many  of  his  sermons  and  other  addresses 
were  of  very  high  order.  His  service  in  the 
State  was  brief,  but  most  acceptable.  He  died 
at  Lancaster. 

V.  R.  Stapp  was  a  long-time  resident  of 
Texas.  He  had  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter, 
and  occasionally  served  in  that  capacity.  His 
sermons  were  thoughtful  and  well  prepared 
and  Scriptural.  It  is  perhaps  true  that  his 
greatest  and  most  successful  service  was  in 
the  schoolroom.  He  was  reputed  to  be  a  teacher 
of  marked  success.  He  was  well  educated, 
keen  in  thought,  clear  in  expression,  apt  in 
instruction.  The  testimony  of  neighbors, 
212 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


wherever  he  lived,  was  that  his  life  was  a  per- 
petual sermon  for  godliness.  He  died  in  Gran- 
bury,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight. 

B.  B.  Sanders  was  a  successful  business 
man  who  surrendered  excellent  financial  oppor- 
tunities for  the  sake  of  preaching  the  gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God.  He  served  for  a  time  as 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Bastrop,  but  his  place 
was  in  the  field  of  evangelism.  There  he  was 
a  mighty  force  for  God  and  for  humanity.  He 
was  strong  in  winning  men  for  the  Lord.  There 
are,  to-day,  numerous  churches  and  multitudes 
of  men  and  women  who  count  Sanders  as  a 
large  factor  in  their  lives.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  was  superintendent  of  the  work  of 
State  Missions.  He  never  saw  a  place  for  any 
sort  of  compromise  where  his  Lord  had  spoken. 
Texas  will  long  remember  him,  and  pay  tribute 
to  his  memory. 

Ed  Stirman  was  a  preacher  in  Texas  when 
I  came  to  the  State.  He  was  not  what  the 
world  calls  "a  practical  man,"  but  he  was  a 
preacher  of  great  ability.  He  had  but  one 
message  for  the  people — the  word  of  God.  A 
phrenologist,  while  examining  his  head,  he  be- 
ing blindfolded  at  the  time,  turned  to  a  gentle- 
man and  said:  "Do  you  know  this  man?" 
When  informed  that  he  did,  and  without  re- 
ceiving information  as  to  his  identity,  the 
213 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


phrenologist  said:  "I  would  give  this  man 
more  to  talk  for  me  than  any  other  man  whose 
head  I  have  ever  examined."  Brother  Stirman 
was  a  giant  in  debate.  It  was  my  privilege 
once  to  hear  him  in  debate  with  a  Mr.  Kil- 
gore,  who  was,  at  that  time,  the  champion  of 
the  Seventh-day  Adventists  in  the  State.  I 
was  a  young  man  at  the  time,  and  the  occa- 
sion was  a  schooling  for  me  which  has  been 
with  me  through  the  years. 

G.  L.  Surber  preached  for  one  of  the 
churches  of  Dallas,  and  evangelized  extensively 
in  the  State.  He  was  one  of  our  strongest  and 
most  polished  preachers.  I  remember  a  story 
he  told  of  an  experience  he  had  with  one  of 
the  Kentucky  preachers  (now  deceased),  who 
was  a  speaker  of  wide  reputation — I  shall  call 
him  Brother  "Walker,  because  that  was  not  his 
name.  He  bore  himself  with  great  dignity  and 
pomp.  Sui'ber  was.  on  one  occasion,  to  occupy 
his  pulpit,  and  Brother  "Walker  was  anxious 
that  said  pulpit  should  lose  none  of  its  usual 
importance.  Before  they  left  the  pastor's 
home.  Surber  received  minute  instruction  as 
to  the  manner  of  walking  from  the  study,  along 
the  aisle  to  the  pulpit,  the  dignified  way  to 
enter  the  same,  how  the  pastor  would  step 
aside  and  offer  the  seat  of  honor  to  the  visitor, 
how  each  should  bow  to  the  other,  etc.  And 
214 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


Surber  seemed  to  have  followed  orders  to  per- 
fection. At  any  rate,  after  they  were  again 
in  private,  the  pastor  grasped  his  hand  with 
great  fervor  and  said :  ' '  Excellently  performed 
—excellently  done — you  acted  with  exquisite 
dignity — Dr.  Walker  could  not  have  done  it 
better  himself." 

Brother  Surber  was  with  us  at  Waxahachie, 
in  one  of  our  meetings,  and  did  work  which 
time  can  neither  measure  nor  erase.  Very 
much  of  the  later  history  of  the  church  was 
fruitage  from  that  meeting,  and  from  the  in- 
fluence of  the  godly  evangelist. 

J.  B.  Sweeney.  No  one  of  the  men  of  my 
acquaintance  who  have  preached  the  primitive 
gospel  in  Texas  was  more  consecrated  than  was 
this  man;  no  one  has  been  a  more  genuine 
friend  to  the  young  man  or  woman  who  wished 
to  dedicate  the  life  to  definite  Christian  ser- 
vice. As  a  pastor,  he  was  loving,  wise  and 
tactful.  He  served  the  churches  at  Taylor  and 
Gainesville.  Both  of  these  congregations  are 
to-day  living  monuments  to  his  life.  This  does 
not  mean  that  no  other  men  have  been  factors ; 
they  have.  In  my  judgment,  Brother  Sweeney's 
monumental  work  was  during  his  connection 
with  Texas  Christian  University.  This  was 
during  the  darkest  days  of  the  institution,  and 
while  its  location  was  in  Waco.  At  that  time 
215 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  Faculty  accepted  the  receipts  of  the  school, 
after  expenses  were  deducted,  as  their  com- 
pensation. And  what  a  compensation  it  was! 
I  was  in  a  position  to  know  the  inside  of  the 
story.  If  those  men  received  as  much  as  an 
average  of  $30  per  month,  they  began  to  feel 
themselves  in  affluent  circumstances.  It  was 
then  that  heroism  saved  the  day  for  the  school, 
and  "Jim"  Sweeney  was  one  of  the  heroes. 
That  was  prior  to  the  organization  of  Brite 
College  of  the  Bible,  but  foundation  work  for 
it  was  being  performed.  He  was  the  leading 
spirit  in  this.  How  his  heart  rejoices,  if  he 
can  see  what  is  here  to-day— and  I  think  he 
can — when  he  sees  the  opportunities  for  the 
work  to  which  he  gave  so  much  of  his  life. 
He  died  during  his  pastorate  at  Gainesville, 
and  there  lies  his  body.  Sister  Sweeney  is 
now  connected  with  Texas  Christian  University. 

T.  D.  Secrest  was  one  of  the  best  informed 
men  along  many  lines  with  whom  it  was  ever 
my  privilege  to  converse.  It  was  a  pleasure  to 
feel  that  he  was  one's  close  and  intimate  friend. 
I  have  felt  tempted  to  copy  some  extracts 
from  personal  letters  received  from  him,  but 
that  would,  perhaps,  do  injustice  to  others 
from  whom  I  have  letters  filed — letters  which 
will  always  be  a  source  of  strength  and  joy. 
Those  letters  from  Secrest  were  so  full  of  joy 
216 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


and  hope  and  cheer  and  faith  and  love.  And 
yet  he  was  one  of  the  most  intense  sufferers 
whom  I  have  ever  known.  Never  did  I  hear 
a  moan  escape  his  lips,  nor  a  hint  of  complain- 
ing. He  died  at  Marfa,  where  he  had  labored, 
and  where  his  memory  is,  to-day,  a  benediction. 

V.  I.  Stirman.  I  did  not  know  of  his  death 
until  Bro.  R.  C.  Horn  sent  his  name  in  a  list 
of  departed  ones.  I  knew  him  most  intimately. 
In  past  years  we  were  colaborers  in  the  Mas- 
ter's vineyard.  During  the  later  periods  our 
paths  divided — not  because  of  personal  differ- 
ences, but  my  work  lay  along  a  different  line 
from  his,  and  I  was  always  closely  identified 
with  all  our  great  organized  efforts,  while  his 
views  were  different.  I  always  esteemed  him 
highly  for  his  work's  sake,  as  well  as  for  his 
own.  He  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  and,  I 
doubt  not  in  the  least,  has  been  welcomed  by 
the  Saviour  in  the  home  above. 

J.  T.  Toof's  work  was  with  the  Commerce 
Street  Church  of  Dallas.  He  and  his  wife 
were  most  estimable  people,  were  diligent  labor- 
ers for  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord,  and  much 
beloved  by  disciples  of  Christ,  and  by  those 
of  the  world  wherever  they  were  known.  Dur- 
ing the  term  of  his  service  in  Dallas  the  plans 
were  made  for  the  erection  of  the  building 
in  which  the  Central  Church  now  meets.  This 
217 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


church  was  the  successor  of  the  Commerce 
Street  Church.  After  the  laying  of  the  foun- 
dation for  the  new  building,  the  pastor  yielded 
to  the  persuasion  of  his  uncle  in  Connecticut, 
who  had  long  been  a  father  to  him,  to  take  a 
place  in  his  large  business  enterprise.  Not 
long  afterward  he  met  his  tragic  death  in  an 
explosion  wrecking  the  building  in  which  the 
office  was  located. 

Dr.  A.  P.  Terrell  was  an  osteopathic  phy- 
sician, and  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  served 
the  church  at  McKinney  as  well  as  churches  at 
other  places.  He  loved  the  truth,  and  was 
eager  to  contend  for  that  which  he  believed 
to  be  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ.  Perhaps 
some  thought  he  was  overanxious  for  discus- 
sion for  the  sake  of  discussion,  but  those  who 
knew  him  better  than  did  others,  never  thought 
this  of  him.  He  was  a  master  in  debate.  As 
an  evangelist  he  did  considerable  service  suc- 
cessfully. He  died  in  Fort  Worth.  His  widow 
was  his  partner  in  his  professional  work,  and 
has  continued  the  practice  since  his  death. 

B.  F.  and  Homer  T.  Wilson  were  brothers. 
They  were  Kentuckians,  coming  from  that 
State  to  Texas.  The  former  preached  at 
Bryan,  Arlington,  Sherman  and  other  points; 
the  latter  at  Dallas,  Fort  Worth  and  San 
Antonio.  Both  were  close  students,  but  along 
218 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


different  lines.  The  predominating  study  of 
the  one  was  books;  that  of  the  other,  the  daily 
papers  and  men.  One  was  logical  and  careful 
in  arrangement  of  his  material ;  the  other  was 
poetical  and  eloquent  and  magnetic.  One  was 
reserved ;  the  other,  progressive.  B.  F.  was 
considered  by  the  careful  thinker  as  the 
stronger  preacher ;  while  Homer  was  an  ideal, 
not  to  say  idol,  of  the  masses.  Homer  was 
a  popular  lecturer,  and  was,  for  years,  the 
chaplain  of  the  traveling-men  of  the  State  in 
their  organization — T.  P.  A.  He  organized 
that  which  is  now  the  Magnolia  Avenue  Chris- 
tian Church  of  Fort  Worth.  Each  of  the 
brothers  performed  the  task  which  he  assigned 
to  himself,  and  each  in  his  own  individual 
way. 

David  Walk  was  one  of  the  great  preachers 
of  the  brotherhood.  A  portion  of  his  last 
years  upon  earth  was  spent  in  Texas.  At  one 
time  he  had  been  in  comfortable  financial  con- 
dition, but  reverses  changed  this,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  while  not  in  penury,  he  was 
a  poor  man.  He  belonged  to  the  day  of 
McGarvey,  Graham,  Loos  and  Errett,  and 
ranked  among  the  leaders  of  the  Restoration 
movement.  Among  his  many  charms  as  a 
preacher  were  clear  enunciation,  simple  style 
in  communication  of  thought,  systematic  ar- 
219 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


rangement  great  thoughts  and  loyalty  to  the 
teaching  of  the  New  Testament  as  the  revela- 
tion of  Jesus  Christ. 

J.  J.  Williamson's  name  will  not  be  fa- 
miliar to  those  of  to-day  save  among  those 
who  were  here  as  long  as  thirty  years  ago. 
This  does  not  mean  that  he  was  not  able  or 
useful  or  pleasing  or  true,  because  he  was  all 
of  these.  He  was  not  an  assuming  person,  and 
did  not  push  himself  to  the  front.  His  ser- 
vices were  always  in  demand,  but  this  was 
within  a  limited  range,  because  of  the  reserve 
of  his  nature.  He  was  among  the  most  jovial 
of  men.  He  never  shirked  responsibility  be- 
cause the  duties  demanded  hard  work.  He 
was  arduous  in  service  and  unselfish  in  de- 
mands. Williamson  related  to  me,  on  one 
occasion,  how  it  happened  that  he  made  an 
enemy  of  a  woman  for  life.  He  was  con- 
ducting a  protracted  meeting  at  a  certain 
place,  and  at  the  close  of  an  evening  service 
one  of  the  sisters  invited  him  to  dine  with  her 
the  next  day,  adding  that  she  would  have 
"turkey."  Williamson  accepted  the  invitation 
most  graciously,  but  he  did  not  know  who  she 
was,  intending  to  ask  some  one  as  soon  as  she 
turned  away.  But  fates  sometimes  work 
against  preachers  as  well  as  other  folks 
Some  one  else  engaged  him  in  conversation, 
220 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


and  when  he  asked  for  information  the  lady 
had  disappeared.  He  was  not  an  adept  in 
describing  the  clothes  or  appearance  of  women, 
and  could  not  make  any  one  understand  suffi- 
ciently to  help  him  from  his  dilemma.  Finally 
some  one  said,  "That  was  Sister  Jones" — 
fictitious  name,  of  course.  On  the  next  day  he 
reported  at  the  home  of  Sister  Jones,  only  to 
find  no  one  there  except  the  man  of  the  house, 
who  declared  there  was  no  turkey  on  his  lunch 
table,  but  told  him  she  must  have  been  Sister 
Brown.  To  Sister  Brown's  he  hied  himself, 
and  found  the  lady  engaged  in  her  week's 
washing,  and  not  at  all  expecting  company. 
However,  she  hospitably  invited  him  to  share 
her  "wash-day  dinner,"  which  he  declined, 
and  went  to  Sister  Smith's  as  now  directed. 
And  so  it  went  for  an  hour,  and  the  place 
where  the  turkey  and  an  irate  lady  were  await- 
ing him  was  never  found.  That  evening  at  the 
services  she  approached  and  notified  him  that 
never  again  would  she  invite  him  to  sit  at  her 
table,  because — etc.,  etc.,  etc.  And  she  meant 
every  word  which  she  spoke.  No  explanations 
were  acceptable,  because  not  to  know  her  was 
an  unpardonable  sin. 

F.   S.  Young  has  been  mentioned  under 
"The  Texas  Christian  Missionary  Convention." 
His  labors  were  limited  because  of  his  early 
221 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


death.  He  was  an  acceptable  and  useful  min- 
ister of  Jesus  Christ. 

E.  V.  Zollars  was  lovingly  known  among 
his  students  as  "Pa  Z."  No  school  president, 
perhaps,  ever  came  nearer  to  a  universal  ardent 
student  love  than  did  he  wherever  he  labored, 
and  his  work  was  wide  in  scope.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  Hiram  College,  Texas  Christian  Uni- 
versity and  Phillips  University,  the  latter  be- 
ing founded  by  him.  He  was  a  fluent,  attrac- 
tive, instructive  writer  and  speaker.  None  ever 
seemed  to  tire  of  listening  to  him  when  he 
spoke.  He  was  the  author  of  a  number  of 
books  which  at  once  took  a  leading  place, 
especially  among  our  own  people.  His  work 
in  Texas  covered  only  a  few  years.  He  died 
while  president  of  Phillips  University,  at  Enid, 
Oklahoma. 

IV.  The  fourth  list  embraces  the  names  of 
more  than  a  half-hundred  preachers.  Some 
of  these  I  never  met;  others  I  knew  only 
slightly.  My  limited  knowledge  forbids  an 
attempt  to  write  concerning  them  as  their 
memory  to  others  doubtless  deserves.  Caleb 
Burns,  Wade  Barrett,  Walter  Dabney,  John 
King,  J.  S.  Muse  and  J.  B.  Wilmott— these  I 
never  knew.  I  knew  Thomas  Barrett  as  an 
aged  man,  but  not  during  the  days  of  his 
service.    He  was  one  of  the  notables  in  the 

222 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


locality  where  he  lived.  Dr.  A.  Cartwright 
I  saw  once  or  twice,  and  was  much  impressed 
with  his  strength  of  mind  and  heart.  He  died 
many  years  ago.  Ed  Dabney  lived  near  Bren- 
ham,  and  preached  in  that  section  for  years, 
and  his  memory  lives  there  to  this  day. 
Brother  Elgin  was  a  successful  evangelist  who 
died  just  prior  to  my  arrival  in  the  State. 
His  name  was  on  many  tongues,  and  always 
to  his  praise.  B.  F.  Hall's  body  lies  in  the 
Van  Alstyne  Cemetery.  He  was  a  remarkable 
preacher.  I  never  knew  him,  as  he  died  just 
prior  to  my  coming  to  the  State.  Many  times 
have  I  heard  those  who  had  heard  him,  speak 
of  his  sermons  and  of  incidents  connected  with 
his  life.  Some  seemed  to  think  that,  during 
his  closing  days,  he  was  the  object  for  bitter 
and  unnecessary  opposition  and  persecution. 
Of  this  I  can  not  speak,  as  my  information  is 
only  "hearsay."  At  any  rate,  he  was  a  mas- 
terful preacher,  and  a  man  of  wonderful  power. 
Dr.  Carroll  Kendrick  was  a  physician  and  a 
preacher.  His  home  was  at  Palestine,  and  he 
was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  work  in  that 
section.  In  his  early  days,  he  favored  a  more 
systematic  co-operative  work,  but  when  this 
was  being  inaugurated  he  opposed  it.  Al- 
though he  was  not  a  citizen  of  Texas  at  the 
time  (1886),  he  was  present  when  the  organi- 
zation was  accomplished,  and  united  with  Bro. 

223 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


C.  M.  Wilnieth  in  leading  the  opposition.  To 
him  is  due  large  credit  for  advances  made  by 
the  churches  in  an  early  day  in  the  State. 
I  never  met  him  except  at  the  Austin  meeting, 
to  which  I  have  just  referred.  His  closing 
days  were  spent  in  California.  Washington 

Lyles,           Marquis,  Mansell  Matthews,  Dr.  J. 

H.  0.  Polly — these  I  never  knew,  but  have 
heard  much  of  their  work  and  faithfulness. 
John  Rawlins  and  Willian  Stewart  I  have  met 
only  a  few  times.  They  worked  more  in  their 
own  localities  than  in  a  larger  way,  and  those 
who  knew  them  well  appreciated  their  loyal 
services.  N.  Van  Horn  was  not  one  of  the 
very  early  workers  here.  He  came  later  and 
lived  for  a  few  years,  making  his  home,  for 
the  greater  part  of  the  time,  in  Fort  Worth, 
although  he  never  ministered  to  one  of  the 
churches  there.  He  preached  to  the  church  in 
Decatur,  and  did  a  most  excellent  work  in 
assisting  in  the  exposition  of  one  who  came  to 
Texas  wearing  the  garments  of  a  saint  of  light, 
but  bearing  a  record  of  infamy  and  shame. 
Let  the  name  of  this  man  remain  where  it 
now  is — in  oblivion.  James  L.  Thornberry 
was  in  Texas  when  I  came.  He  was  "a  charac- 
ter, ' '  and  one  of  his  peculiarities  was  his  appre- 
ciation of — well,  let  me  relate  a  story.  Once 
he  was  a  visitor  in  my  home.  He  and  I  were 
engaged  in  conversation.    My  mother  (a  Bap- 

224 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


tist)  was  in  the  room  reading — that  is,  sup- 
posedly reading.  Brother  Thornberry  did  not 
know  of  her  church  relationship,  and,  in  com- 
menting on  some  of  our  preachers  who  did  not 
suit  his  ideas,  said:  "Brother  McPherson,  they 
haven't  any  more  sense  than  the  fool  Baptists." 
In  the  same  conversation  he  was  speaking  of 
President  Garfield,  who  had  recently  been 
elected,  and  said:  "Yes,  that  was  a  great 
achievement.  Last  year  I  made  quite  a  number 
of  addresses  on  the  necessity  of  placing  moral 
men  in  office,  but  did  not  dream,  at  the  time, 
that  they  would  bear  fruit  so  early."  He  had 
been  having  some  trouble  with  editors  of  papers 
because  they  failed  to  publish  some  of  the  mat- 
ter he  sent  in — he  was  an  abundant  writer. 
His  remark  was:  "They  pigeonhole  my  articles, 
and  after  a  year  or  two  bring  them  out  as 
editorials."  Perhaps  the  saying  which  im- 
pressed me  more  than  any  other  I  ever  heard 
from  him  was  in  the  following  incident.  I 
had  just  arrived  in  Texas,  but  had  heard  of 
Brother  Thornberry,  and  of  his  scorn  for  the 
young  preacher — and  I  was  a  young  preacher. 
I  had,  prior  to  leaving  Kentucky,  read  a  little 
discussion  between  Brother  Thornberry  and 
Isaac  Errett  in  the  Christian  Standard,  and 
thought  to  use  this  as  a  means  of  making  him 
like  at  least  one  young  preacher.  I  introduced 
myself  thus:  "Brother  Thornberry,  I  read  with 
15  225 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


much  interest  your  discussion  recently  in  the 
Standard."  At  once  his  face  brightened,  and  I 
found  hope  begin  to  form  that  I  had  won  my 
way  to  his  heart.  He  said,  with  a  smile :  ' '  Yes, 
yes.  I  tell  you,  Brother  MePherson,  Isaac 
Errett  is  a  wonderful  man."  To  this  I  agreed. 
"He  is  head  and  shoulders  above  any  other 
of  our  editors. ' '  And  I  assented.  Then :  ' 1  But 
didn't  I  everlastingly  thrash  him  in  that  dis- 
cussion?" Just  what  I  replied  has  faded  from 
my  memory. 

Also,  there  were  L.  S.  Ridgeway,  J.  t  B. 
Wilmeth,  Frank  Wilmeth,  J.  R.  Wilmeth,  Knox 
P.  Taylor,  Philip  Miner,  John  M.  McKinney, 
W.  C.  McKinney,  W.  H.  Scott,  T.  J.  Austin, 
Bryce  Austin,  William  Barnett,  G.  F.  O'Con- 
nell,  W.  Reynolds,  W.  H.  Duke,  C.  W.  Sewell, 
Robert  Henderson,  R.  A.  O'Brien,  T.  J.  Hun- 
saker,  Hugh  Gerhart,  Benton  Sweeney,  Bass 
Sweeney,  Dr.  Adkins,  A.  J.  Toole,  S.  W.  Ken- 
nedy, William  Thompson,  John  T.  Holloway, 

  Harbison,   W.   P.   Richardson,   W.  D. 

Darnall,  Frank  Rawlins,  Addison  King,  and 

  Carnes,  Sr.    Some  of  these  it  was  never 

my  privilege  to  meet  face  to  face,  and  they 
were  known,  if  at  all,  only  at  a  distance,  as  it 
were.  Some  I  knew  better,  though  slightly. 
They  are  all  spoken  of  as  men  true  and  tried. 

This  list  of  125  of  "Our  Remembered 
Dead"  has  been  prepared  with  great  care, 

226 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


aided  by  A.  J.  Bush,  R.  C.  Horn,  Randolph 
Clark,  G.  D.  Smith,  J.  C.  Mason  and  J.  W. 
Holsapple.  If  there  have  been  any  omissions, 
they  were  certainly  not  intentional.  Still, 
there  may  have  been  such.  Memory  sometimes 
plays  us  tricks  which  we  can  not  understand. 
The  first  list,  which  I  prepared  without  help, 
I  later  discovered  did  not  include  the  names 
of  several  of  my  most  intimate  friends — men 
whom  I  loved  as  brothers  indeed.  If  any  one 
has  been  overlooked,  his  friends  will  be  chari- 
table, because  they  will  understand. 

There  were  others — some  of  these  I  knew 
well — who  labored  only  incidentally  as  minis- 
ters of  the  Word,  but  who  were  faithful 
servants  of  the  Master,  each  in  his  own  con- 
gregation.   Their  works  still  follow  them. 

I  have  called  the  names  of  men  who  have 
preached  the  everlasting  gospel  of  the  Son  of 
God  within  the  borders  of  Texas,  and  who 
have  gone  home  to  glory.  Many  of  these  were 
my  intimate  friends.  One  by  one  I  have  seen 
them  pass  from  view  into  the  seeming  mists, 
and  yet  I  knew  they  were  not  in  the  mists. 
It  only  appeared  so  to  us  as  we  looked  from 
where  we  stood.  As  I  think  of  them,  one  by 
one,  I  realize  "there  were  giants  in  those 
days."  But  I  am  not  in  the  least  depreciating 
the  men  of  to-day.  And  still  it  is  true  that 
we  who  are  now  in  the  service  could  "not  be 
227 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


made  perfect"  without  those  of  yesterday. 
And  may  we  remember  that  if  we  should  prove 
to  be  unfaithful  to  the  opportunities  which 
those  men  left  as  our  legacy,  the  largest  possi- 
bilities of  their  work  will  fail  of  realization. 

With  the  lives  of  those  men  my  own  life 
has  been  intertwined  to  a  greater  or  less  de- 
gree. It  was  my  lot  to  speak  over  the  dead 
bodies  of  Brothers  Cole,  Carter,  Riall,  J.  B. 
Sweeney,  Stapp,  Lockhart,  Johnson,  Pritchett, 
Bush  and  Carlton;  I  missed  this  privilege  with 
several  of  the  others  because  I  was  beyond  reach 
at  the  time.  More  than  fifty  of  these  men 
have  contributed  something  which  I  count  as 
precious  to  my  own  life,  and  I  owe  to  them 
debts  of  gratitude  which  I  can  repay  only 
through  an  increasing  service  to  the  cause  for 
which  they  lived  and  died.  Have  I  felt  a 
sense  of  loneliness  growing  as  these  have  passed 
away?  Yes  and  no — yes,  when  I  think  only 
of  the  past;  no,  as  I  look  to  the  present  and 
the  future.  "We  may  pause  to  think  of  that 
which  they  have  been  and  done,  and  then 
breathe  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving  and  of  peti- 
tion, and  look  to  the  field  and  to  the  future. 

To  this  list  of  men  of  the  pulpit  might  be 
added  the  names  of  many  who  were  indeed 
preachers,  noble  and  true,  who  would  never 
have  thus  designated  themselves — a  host  of 
gracious,  godly  heroes  and  heroines.  These 

228 


OUR  REMEMBERED  DEAD 


will  never  be  forgotten ;  their  names  live  in 
memory;  their  deeds  live  in  multitudes  of 
lives ;  without  them,  the  achievements  of  those 
whose  names  are  above  enrolled  would  have 
been  impossible.  For  them  we  mourn,  but  not 
as  do  others  who  have  no  hope ;  assured  as  we 
are  that  our  Lord  died  and  rose  again,  we 
rejoice  in  the  confidence  that  these  who  have 
fallen  asleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  Him. 

Of  those  who  were  pulpit  advocates  for  prim- 
itive Christianity  in  Texas  when  I  came  to 
the  State,  January  3,  1879,  four  remain  who 
have,  through  the  more  than  four  decades,  con- 
stantly labored  for  the  cause  which  they  love. 
These  are 


RANDOLPH  CLARK,  STEPHENVILLE. 
A.  C.  ATEN,  ROUND  ROCK. 
R.  C.  HORN,  "VTNELAND. 
DAVID  PENNINGTON,  TAYLOR. 

I  rejoice  in  the  confidence  that  each  of  these 
is  my  close,  personal  friend,  as  well  as  my 
brother  in  the  Lord,  and  to  each  would  I  say: 

'Tis  true,  my  friend,  that  every  cloud 

Has  a  lining  which  is  bright; 
And  just  as  true  that  every  day 

Is  followed  by  its  night. 
And,  oh,  what  joy  and  gladness 

In  this  for  me  and  you, 
This  mingling  of  the  somber 

With  God's  ethereal  blue. 

229 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


For  many  years  have  you  and  I 

Been  friends  and  workers  too ; 
We've  felt  the  darkness  of  the  cloud 

And  the  brightness  of  the  blue. 
We've  seen  the  hand  that  leadeth  us, 

We've  felt  His  heart  beat  true; 
We  know  the  gladsome  blessedness 

He's  granted  me  and  you. 


230 


A  Few  Women 


1.  Mrs.  A.  A.  Johnston 

2.  Mrs.  Clara  Walden 

3.  Mrs.  Annie  Wilkinson 

4.  Mrs.  Juliette  Fowler 

5.  Mrs.  Sarah  Harwood 

6.  Mrs.  Charles  Carlton 

7.  Mrs.  Taliaferro 

8.  Mrs.  O.  A.  Carr 

9.  Miss  Kate  Hanson 

10.  Mrs.  M.  M.  Blanks 

11.  Mrs.  E.  E.  Chevalier 

12.  Mrs.  J.  Z.  Miller 

13.  Mrs.  Frances  Cooke  Van  Zandt 

14.  Mrs.  Ida  V.  Jarvis 

15.  Mrs.  G.  D.  Smith 

16.  Miss  Grace  Carlton 

17.  Miss  Sallie  Joe  Carlton 

18.  Mrs.  Terry  King 

19.  Miss  Tyler  Wilkerson 

20.  Mrs.  Anna  D.  Bradley 


231 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


O  write  even  a  fragment  of  the  history 


1  of  Disciples  in  Texas,  or  elsewhere,  with- 
out a  tribute  to  woman  would  be  like  the  much- 
referred-to  play  of  "Hamlet,"  with  Hamlet 
left  out.  What  our  work  would  have  been 
to-day  if  woman  had  not  laid  "her  hands  to 
the  spindle"  no  one  can  say.'  And  yet  every 
man  can  say  that  it  would  have  been  far  short 
of  what  it  is.  What  she  has  done  can  not  be 
tabulated  in  statistics,  nor  written  up  in  well- 
worded  articles.  Her  influence  has  done  the 
largest  part  of  its  work  when  she  has  silently 
striven  through  the  lives  of  others.  The 
mothers,  the  wives,  the  sisters,  the  daughters, 
the  women  in  the  Bible  school  and  in  the  pew, 
and  wherever  they  have  been — who  can  com- 
pute the  influence  they  have  exerted?  To 
attempt  to  make  a  list  of  those  who  have  helped 
in  such  worthy  ways  to  lead  us  to  where  we 
are  would  be  unjust  because  it  would  of  neces- 
sity omit  many  of  the  choicest  of  all.  And 
yet  woman  must  be  mentioned ;  and  now  I  am 
wondering  where  to  begin,  where  to  close,  what 
to  say,  how  to  say  it,  who  should  be  included 


233 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


not  to  make  the  list  overlong — these  and 
many  other  things  are  struggling  in  my 
mind. 

I  shall  draw  my  bow  and  shoot  at  a  venture. 
There  are  women  who  have  been  prominent 
factors,  and  who  have  been  recognized  as  lead- 
ers in  many  lines  of  service.  I  shall  attempt 
to  mention  only  a  few. 

Mrs.  A.  A.  Johnston  was  a  woman  of  most 
precious  memory.  Her  home  was  in  Dallas, 
where  her  influence  still  lingers  in  the  hearts 
of  hundreds,  and  where  a  society  of  young 
women  bears  her  name.  To  the  preacher  she 
was  always  a  friend,  and  to  the  young  preacher 
she  was  a  perpetual  encouragement  and  bene- 
diction. Here  I  speak  from  delightful  ex- 
perience. 

Mrs.  Clara  Walden  lived  and  died  in  Fort 
Worth.  For  years  she  was  a  teacher  there, 
and  always  one  of  the  leaders  of  women  in 
missionary  service.  I  remember  one  of  the 
mottoes  which  she  had  hung  in  one  of  the 
rooms  of  the  First  Church,  where  she  held  her 
membership  before  going  with  the  Tabernacle 
Church — now  Magnolia  Avenue:  "I  am  always 
glad  when  the  Father  gives  me  something  hard 
to  do."  She  led  at  least  one  young  man  to 
dedicate  his  life  to  the  Christian  ministry — 
George  W.  Morrison,  of  Mineral  Wells.  Her 

234 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


death  was  tragic — killed  by  an  automobile,  in 
Fort  Worth. 

Mrs.  Annie  Wilkinson  was  State  president 
of  the  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions. 
I  knew  her  personally  for  years,  and  was  fre- 
quently a  guest  in  her  home.  She  was  one  of 
the  most  charming  women  of  my  acquaintance 
— cultured  and  kind  and  consecrated.  Former- 
ly her  home  was  in  Denison,  and  later  in 
Austin,  where  her  husband,  Judge  A.  E.  Wil- 
kinson, is  reporter  for  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Texas.  It  was  in  Austin  that  she  passed 
from  us. 

Mrs.  Juliette  Fowler  was  the  principal 
mover  in  what  are  now  our  Orphans'  and  Old 
People's  Homes  in  Dallas.  Her  benefactions 
made  these  works  possible,  and  hundreds  of 
children  and  older  people  have  already  learned 
to  call  her  name  "blessed."  She  was  retiring 
in  her  life,  but  her  thoughts  were  always  for 
the  help  of  the  suffering.  Not  for  many  years 
will  the  time  come  when  Texas  Disciples  shall 
ask :  "  Who  was  Mrs.  Fowler  ? ' ' 

Mrs.  Sarah  Harwood  was  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
Fowler,  and  took  up  the  work  which  her  sister 
had  planned,  and  gave  her  energies  and  life 
until  the  day  of  her  death.  Those  who  knew 
her  personally  remember  her  as  kind,  loving, 
gentle  and  Christian  in  every  way.  I  recall 
235 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


that  she  said  to  me  once  that  which  I  have  ever 
treasured,  and  which  has  helped  me  in  moments 
of  severe  struggle:  "Brother  McPherson,  you 
are  growing  more  gentle  as  the  years  come  to 
you."  That  little  sentence  has  helped  me  to 
gain  victories  over  self  when  the  struggle  was 
hard.  How  much  thousands  of  lives  have  been 
aided  by  just  such  words  as  these !  Why  not 
speak  them  more  frequently  than  we  do? 

"Aunt  Sallie" — that  was  what  hundreds  of 
her  acquaintances  called  her,  and  all  because 
they  loved  her.  ' '  Aunt  Sallie ' '  was,  in  the  home 
of  Carlton  College,  and  in  the  hearts  of  all  who 
ever  visited  there,  and  of  many,  many  others, 
the  delightful  inspiration  and  help  to  life. 
This  I  knew  both  from  my  own  experience  and 
from  the  words  many  times  told  by  my  own 
dear  daughter,  who  was  in  Carlton  College  as 
student  and  as  teacher  for  several  years,  and 
who  is  now  with  "Aunt  Sallie"  in  the  land  of 
light  and  of  glory.  It  is  not  necessary  to  say 
to  any  one  who  lived  in  Texas,  and  was  identi- 
fied with  our  own  work  so  long  as  fifteen  years 
ago.  that  she  was  the  wife  of  Bro.  Charles 
Carlton,  president  of  Carlton  College,  in  Bon- 
ham.  She  lives  to-day  in  the  loving  memory  of 
many  hundreds  of  students  and  friends. 

Mrs.  Taliaferro,  whose  initials  I  do  not 
now  recall,  was  the  mother  of  the  wife  of 
236 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


Philip  S.  King,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Marfa. 
She  was  the  wife  of  Dr.  Taliaferro,  who  died 
many  years  ago.  She  was  one  of  the  giants 
intellectually,  among  the  women  of  Texas.  For 
a  number  of  years  she  taught  in  Hillsboro 
and  in  other  places,  and  was  matron  of  girls  in 
Texas  Christian  University.  Not  only  was  she 
a  giant  in  mind,  but  in  heart  and  soul  as  well. 

Mrs.  0.  A.  Carr  was  one  of  the  women 
who  could  not  be  conquered  by  difficulties, 
and  who  was  never  satisfied  with  the  achieve- 
ment of  small  things.  She  was  the  wife  of 
0.  A.  Carr,  one  of  the  strong  writers  and 
preachers  of  his  day.  She  achieved  what  was 
perhaps  the  fondest  dream  of  her  life  in  what 
is  now  Carr-Burdette  College,  a  school  for 
girls,  presided  over  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cephas 
Shelburne,  in  Sherman.  When  she  began  her 
plans  but  few  thought  they  could  ever  be 
accomplished ;  that  is,  among  those  who  did  not 
know  her  well.  She  began  with  almost  nothing, 
but  the  work  was  done,  and  chiefly  by  her  own 
personal  efforts.  She  and  her  husband  were 
the  heads  of  the  institution  until  her  death, 
and  he  continued  until  his  own  life  closed. 

Miss  Kate  Hanson  was  the  mother  of  the 
Texas  Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions, 
and  was  mentioned  in  the  article  on  that  or- 
ganization by  the  present  State  president.  She 

237 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


lived  in  Dallas,  and,  in  a  most  quiet  and  unas- 
suming way,  inaugurated  a  work  which  has 
broadened  and  deepened  since  that  day,  and 
which  is  still  growing  in  usefulness  and  power. 
She  died  in  Dallas  a  number  of  years  ago. 

Mrs.  M.  M.  Blanks'  home  was  in  Lockhart, 
where  she  and  her  most  excellent  husband — 
Dr.  J.  G.  Blanks — were  among  the  strongest 
leaders  of  the  forces  for  both  primitive  Chris- 
tianity and  righteousness  in  the  largest  sense 
of  the  word.  Both  were  exceedingly  liberal, 
and  were  always  ready  to  help  good  works 
in  every  possible  manner.  Sister  Blanks  gave 
her  influence  largely  to  the  advancement  of 
the  work  of  the  C.  W.  B.  M.  Her  deeds 
of  benevolence  through  this  channel  are  men- 
tioned in  articles  written  by  others  in  another 
part  of  this  volume.  She  died  in  Austin,  where 
her  home  was  during  the  last  several  years  of 
her  life. 

Mrs.  E.  E.  Chevalier  was  another  of  the 
stalwart,  though  not  masculine,  women  of  the 
State.  She  was  feminine  in  every  true  sense 
of  the  word,  and  was  an  inspiration  to  higher 
things  in  the  lives  of  those  who  were  thrown 
into  personal  touch  with  her.  She  was  a  prom- 
inent figure  in  the  missionary  conventions  of 
the  State,  and  always  honored.  She  died,  I 
think,  at  her  home  in  Belton. 

238 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


Mrs.  J.  Z.  Miller  was  another  Belton 
woman  who  was  always,  though  in  a  quiet  way, 
a  leader  among  the  forces  for  righteousness  in 
the  larger  works  of  the  brotherhood.  She  was 
the  wife  of  Col.  J.  Z.  Miller,  whom  we  all 
know,  and  was  ever  a  partner  with  him  in 
many  departments  of  work  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  Texas  and 
elsewhere.  She  died  while  still  comparatively 
young  in  years,  and  her  leaving  was  felt  by 
all  who  had  been  in  co-operation  with  her  in 
the  work  for  humanity  and  for  Christ. 

Mrs.  Frances  Cooke  Van  Zandt  was  never 
a  public  worker  in  one  of  our  State  organiza- 
tions, and  yet  her  name  deserves  especial  men- 
tion because  of  what  she  did  in  influencing 
many  works  in  many  ways.  She  was  one  of 
the  most  extraordinary  women  whom  I  ever 
knew.  When  we  stood  at  her  bier,  after  she 
had  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-four,  we  were 
impressed  with  the  thought  that  indeed  a 
mother  in  Israel  had  fallen  asleep.  In  her 
early  life,  she  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  That  was  a  time  when  many  of  the 
church  organizations  thought  they  were  called 
and  sent  to  kill  each  other,  and  most  of  them 
attempted  to  faithfully  live  up  to  their  con- 
victions. Mrs.  Van  Zandt  early  saw  the  evils 
of  denominationalism,  and  heard  with  delight 
239 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  plea  made  by  the  early  Restorationists, 
which  she  gladly  accepted.  In  her  explanation 
of  her  course  she  used  to  say  that  she  was  pre- 
sented with  the  alternative  "of  getting  out  of 
denominationalism  or  of  being  kicked  out," 
and  she  preferred  the  former  mode  of  pro- 
cedure. She  was  the  mother  of  Maj.  K.  M. 
Van  Zandt,  Mrs.  L.  V.  Clough,  Dr.  I.  L.  Van 
Zandt,  Mrs.  Fannie  Beall  and  Mrs.  Ida  V. 
Jarvis,  all  of  Fort  Worth  and  all  still  alive. 
These  were  present  at  her  funeral  service — the 
eldest,  Mrs.  Clough,  being  at  that  time  seventy- 
six  years  of  age. 

Those  whose  names  have  been  mentioned 
have  passed  from  our  ranks.  There  are  many 
who  still  live  among  us  whose  names  should  be 
mentioned,  but  the  list  must  necessarily  be 
abbreviated  for  want  of  space. 

Mrs.  Ida  V.  Jarvis.  If  Texas  Disciples 
were  asked  to  make  lists  of  the  women  among 
us  in  the  State,  still  living,  who  have  been 
and  are  active  and  prominent  for  the  large 
works  of  the  brotherhood,  the  name  of  Mrs. 
Jarvis  would  perhaps  head  the  lists  of  a  large 
majority.  Her  husband,  Maj.  J.  J.  Jarvis, 
who  was  one  of  the  most  useful  men  we  ever 
had  among  us,  was  accustomed  to  say  to  us 
that  at  conventions  he  was  known  "as  the 
husband  of  Mrs.  Jarvis."  She  seems  to  have 
240 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


had  a  hand  in  an  important  way  in  almost  all 
of  the  movements  which  have  ever  been  in- 
augurated among  us  for  the  uplift  of  human- 
ity. She  has  served  as  State  president  of  the 
C.  W.  B.  M.,  as  a  member  of  the  Advisory 
Board  for  T.  C.  U.,  and  as  a  leader  in  almost 
all  the  organizations  of  women  in  Fort  Worth 
which  labor  for  the  uplift  of  humanity.  She 
has  been,  for  years,  an  active  worker  in  the 
W.  C.  T.  U.,  and  is  to-day  actively  engaged  in 
several  important  works  in  Fort  Worth  and 
elsewhere.  Her  work  for  the  industrial  school 
for  the  colored  people  has  been  mentioned  in 
other  places  of  this  work. 

Mrs.  G.  D.  Smith,  State  president  of  the 
C.  W.  B.  M.,  is  and  has  been  one  of  the  wise 
and  faithful  and  diligent  and  unselfish  workers 
for  the  cause  of  Christ  in  Texas.  Her  home 
is  in  Dallas,  where  she  is  a  member  of  the 
Central  Church.  Her  husband  served  for  many 
years  as  the  secretary  of  the  Board  for  the 
Texas  Christian  Missionary  Convention,  and 
was  ever  at  his  post  in  the  faithful  discharge 
of  his  duties — always  without  a  cent  of  re- 
muneration. I  have  known  Sister  Smith  per- 
sonally for  many  years,  and  have  never  once 
heard  of  her  being  absent  from  a  meeting  of 
the  Disciples  where  she  was  one  of  the  factors, 
either  locally  or  in  a  general  way,  unless  there 
ie  241 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


was  some  exceptionally  well-recognized  reason 
for  this.  Not  only  has  she  been  present,  but 
her  presence  has  always  counted  for  something 
worth  while.  She  and  Brother  Smith  have 
been  pillars  in  both  local  and  general  work. 

Misses  Grace  and  Sallie  Joe  Carlton.  No 
two  sisters  in  the  State  have  done  more  for 
the  cause  of  Jesus  Christ  than  have  these  two. 
No  one  woman  has,  perhaps,  done  more  real 
constructive  work  for  the  Master  than  has  been 
done  by  either  of  these.  For  many  years,  they 
were  the  coworkers  with  their  father  and 
brother  through  Carlton  College.  Many  hun- 
dreds of  men  and  women,  living  and  dead, 
have  given  lives  to  bless  humanity — men  and 
women  who  were  largely  influenced  by  these 
and  their  fellow -workers.  Miss  Grace  served 
for  several  years  as  president  of  the  Texas 
C.  *W.  B.  M.,  and  her  final  resignation  was 
received  with  great  regret.  After  the  death 
of  Brother  Carlton,  they,  with  their  brother, 
conducted  the  school  which  he  had  established 
and  conducted  for  so  many  years.  Their  work, 
as  seen  in  the  history  of  to-day,  is  a  noble 
monument  to  their  lives.  They  are  still  with 
us,  and,  though  not  conducting  the  college, 
each  is  working  hard,  for  others  more  than  self. 
Many  interesting  incidents  could  be  related  in 
illustration  of  the  splendid  character  of  their 
242 


A  FEW  WOMEN 


work.  Texas  is  far  better  because  of  their 
lives. 

Mrs.  Terry  King  was,  for  a  number  of 
years,  the  State  secretary  for  the  C.  W.  B.  M., 
and  she  was  constantly  diligent  and  faithful  in 
her  service  to  that  organization  of  women. 
Recently  she  has  been  made  regional  secretary, 
with  her  headquarters  in  Ft.  Worth,  being  suc- 
ceeded by  Mrs.  McMasters  in  the  Texas  work. 
The  women  of  the  societies  speak  in  high  praise 
of  her  work  in  the  State,  and  their  best  wishes 
go  with  her  to  her  larger  field. 

Miss  Tyler  Wilkinson  would  be  shocked 
if  she  were  to  be  told  that  her  name  is  to 
appear  on  the  pages  of  this  work.  If  she 
were  asked  what  she  had  done,  worthy  of 
special  mention,  for  the  general  work  of  Texas 
Disciples,  she  would  be  surprised  at  the  ques- 
tion, and  say  "Nothing."  But  that  is  where 
all  who  have  known  of  her  work  would  beg 
leave  to  differ  from  her.  As  State  secretary 
for  the  Christian  Endeavor,  as  matron  for  girls 
in  Texas  Christian  University,  and  as  helper 
in  the  State  work  of  the  C.  W.  B.  M.,  she  has 
over  been  an  invaluable  worker.  Perhaps  no 
one  has  ever  been  more  generally  favorably 
received  in  these  works  than  has  she.  Those 
who  really  know  her  love  her  for  her  own  sake 
as  well  as  for  her  works'  sake. 

243 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Mrs.  Anna  D.  Bradley  has  not  lived  in 
Texas  during  the  past  twenty  years.  Her 
home  is  now  in  Chicago.  During  her  stay 
among  us  in  the  State  her  influence  for  all 
which  was  for  our  good  grew  by  bounds.  She 
was  a  frequent  speaker  in  our  conventions,  and 
was  always  heard  with  delight.  But  her  great- 
est field  for  the  exercise  of  her  powers  was  by 
means  of  articles  contributed  through  the  press. 
She  had  a  most  happy  faculty  of  taking  the 
little,  every-day  things  of  life,  and  causing 
them  to  shine  with  lessons  which  were  read 
with  eagerness  by  thousands.  She  wrote  for 
the  home  department  of  the  Christian  Standard 
as  well  as  for  the  Christian  Courier.  To  this 
day  many  ask,  "Why  does  not  Mrs.  Bradley 
write  for  our  papers?"    Sure  enough — why? 


244 


Our  Contributors 


1.  L.  D.  Anderson 

2.  J.  B.  Holmes 

3.  S.  W.  Hutton 

4.  Edward  McShane  Waits 

5.  Frank  L.  Jewett 

6.  Colby  D.  Hall 

7.  J.  T.  McKissick 

8.  Cephas  Shelburne 

9.  Misses  Grace  and  Sallie  Joe  Carlton 

10.  J.  N.  Ervin 

11.  M.  Boyd  Keith 

12.  Arthur  A.  Everts 

13.  Mrs.  G.  D.  Smith 


245 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 

I  WISH  to  express  my  appreciation  of  the 
1  assistance  which  those  named  in  the  list 
below  have  given  in  the  preparation  of  this 
volume.  They  have  most  cheerfully  accepted 
the  task  asked  of  them,  notwithstanding  they 
are  busy  people.  They  laid  aside  their  other 
work  for  a  time,  and  gave  us  that  which  the 
readers  will  receive  with  pleasure. 

L.  D.  Anderson  is  known  in  and  out  of 
Texas  for  his  work's  sake.  His  first  preaching 
in  Texas  was  at  Athens,  then  at  Ennis,  at 
Palestine,  and  with  the  First  Church  of  Fort 
Worth.  At  the  two  last-named  places,  es- 
pecially, he  did  monumental  works.  In  Fort 
Worth  I  have  been  closely  associated  with  him, 
and  know  of  the  difficulties  which  never  dis- 
couraged him ;  of  the  aims  which  he  has  always 
had  for  large  things  for  humanity,  and  which 
have  been,  and  are,  being  worked  out  to  suc- 
cess; of  the  bigness  of  the  faith  of  the  man, 
and  of  his  splendid  loyalty  to  all  which  his 
Lord  either  said  or  did.  In  the  "Introduc- 
tion," he  has,  probably,  somewhat  stretched  his 
utterances,  moved  by  long  friendship;  they 
247 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


should  be  taken  with  a  degree  of  allowance. 
He  could  not  write  otherwise  of  any  one  than 
in  great  kindness. 

J.  B.  Holmes  has  been  the  Superintendent 
of  Missions  in  Texas  for  about  two  years,  and 
the  work  has  been  made  to  move  in  that  time, 
and  that  in  the  right  direction.  His  thought 
is  threefold — efficiency,  permanency,  loyalty. 
He  is  cultivating  the  co-operation  of  the 
churches  in  a  remarkable  way.  Of  course  the 
zenith  has  not  been  reached,  but  his  work  is 
headed  in  that  direction.  The  churches  of  the 
State  have  confidence  in  the  man  and  in  his 
work.  That  which  he  has  contributed  to  this 
volume  in  regard  to  the  missionary  work  in 
the  State,  will  prove  to  be  exceedingly  inter- 
esting reading  for  all  who  turn  these  pages. 

S.  W.  Hutton  came  to  Texas  as  an  assistant 
pastor  to  J.  E.  Dinger  for  the  First  Church 
of  Fort  "Worth,  and  there  his  splendid  worth 
was  discovered  by  Texans.  His  work,  his  life, 
and  all  that  he  gave,  were  found  to  be  worth 
having.  He  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the 
Riverside  Church  in  the  same  city,  and,  during 
the  time,  pursued  his  studies  with  Texas  Chris- 
tian University,  taking  his  A.B.  degree.  From 
that  he  entered  the  State  Bible-school  work, 
and  then  the  same  for  the  Soii.thwest,  which 
he  is  now  conducting.    His  article  concerns 

248 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 


the  history  of  the  important  work  with  which 
he  is  connected,  and  which  he  so  dearly  loves. 
During  the  past  year  or  so  he  has  led  the 
movement  for  the  endowment,  by  the  Bible 
schools,  of  a  chair  for  Bible-school  instruction 
in  Brite  College  of  the  Bible.  This  last  is 
now  completed. 

Edward  McShane  Waits  is  the  worthy 
president  of  Texas  Christian  University.  His 
first  work  in  the  State  was  as  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Ladonia.  From  there  he  went  to 
El  Paso  in  response  to  a  call  from  the  Central 
Church,  and  from  there  went  to  Fort  Worth 
as  pastor  of  what  was  known  as  "The  Taber- 
nacle Church."  As  that  and  the  First  Chris- 
tian Church  were  thought  to  be  too  near  to 
each  other's  territory,  under  his  leadership 
the  Tabernacle  congregation  sold  its  property, 
and  built  on  its  present  site.  He  remained 
with  this  church — the  Magnolia  Avenue  Church 
— for  several  years,  and  then  accepted  a  call 
from  a  congregation  in  California.  Before 
leaving,  he  yielded  to  the  entreaties  of  the 
trustees  of  the  University  to  allow  them  to  ask 
for  a  release  from  the  California  church  that 
he  might  accept  the  presidency  of  the  institu- 
tion. He  has  occupied  this  position  for  the 
past  two  or  three  years,  and  has  been  growing 
during  the  time  in  all  that  goes  to  make  a 
249 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


college  president.  Texas  loves  him  for  his  own 
sake  as  well  as  for  that  of  his  service. 

Frank  L.  Jewett  writes  most  interestingly 
of  the  Bible  Chair  work  in  connection  with  the 
State  University,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Christian  Woman's  Board  of  Missions.  The 
growth  of  the  work  has  been  quite  satisfactory 
to  the  promoters,  and  to  those  who  are  closely 
connected  with  it.  The  Bible  Chair  seems  to 
have  made  a  gratifying  appeal  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  University,  judging  from  all  the 
reports  which  have  reached  the  outside  world. 
Brother  Jewett  has  been  with  the  work  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  the  indications  are  that 
he  will  continue  for  years  to  come. 

Colby  D.  Hall  is  dean  of  Brite  College 
of  the  Bible,  Texas  Christian  University.  I 
have  been  closely  associated  with  him  in  the 
Bible  College  work  for  the  past  six  years,  and 
in  other  capacities  for  a  number  of  years  pre- 
viously. All  who  know  "Colby  D.,"  as  he 
is  frequently  familiarly  called,  love  him  because 
he  is  lovable.  His  interest  in  the  young  men 
and  women  who  are  preparing  themselves  for 
definite  work  in  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ 
never  flags.  He  is  always  on  the  alert  for 
anything  which  will  conduce  to  their  welfare 
or  for  their  usefulness.  He  is  tactful,  kind, 
efficient,  Christian.  Read  that  which  he  has  to 
250 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 


say  concerning  the  work  which  lies  so  near  to 
his  heart. 

J.  T.  McKissick  is  one  of  the  really  big 
men  of  the  State.  He  is  modest  and  unassum- 
ing, and  herein  lies  one  of  the  elements  of  his 
real  bigness.  His  first  work  as  a  preacher 
was  in  Texas,  though  he  came  from  Tennessee. 
He  was  educated,  partly,  at  Italy,  under  Alex- 
ander Holt,  who  conducted  a  school  there. 
From  there  he  went  to  what  is  now  Texas 
Christian  University.  He  labored  most  effi- 
ciently as  pastor  of  the  church  at  Weatherford. 
He  returned  to  his  native  State,  and  became 
Superintendent  of  Missions  there.  But,  even- 
tually, the  lure  of  Texas  drew  him  here  again, 
and  he  is  serving  as  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Midland  and  as  president  of  Midland  Col- 
lege. He  has  given  us  a  most  excellent  article, 
which  should  be  carefully  read  by  all.  Therein 
are  revealed  some  of  the  true  ideals  of  a  Chris- 
tian college,  and  of  the  education  which  should 
come  from  such  institutions. 

Cephas  Shelburne  first  labored,  in  the 
State,  as  pastor  of  the  East  Dallas  Church. 
Then  he  became  editor  and  publisher  of  the 
Christian  Courier;  then  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Lancaster,  from  which  work  he  was  called 
to  the  presidency  of  Carr-Burdette  College  of 
Sherman,  where  he  is  now  doing  most  excellent 
251 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


work.  Brother  Slielburne  is  one  of  the  most 
attractive  writers  among  us,  and  all  which 
he  says  carries  the  ring  of  loyalty  to  all  which 
is  true.  There  is  never  any  mistaking  as  to 
the  meaning  of  his  words.  No  one  needs  to 
ask,  "Where  does  Cephas  Slielburne  stand?" 
on  any  question  which  touches  the  moral  or 
the  Biblical  from  any  standpoint.  This  is  his 
first  year  as  president  of  the  college,  but  he 
and  his  splendid  wife  are  making  things  move. 

Misses  Grace  and  Sallie  Joe  Carlton  and 
their  brother,  Charles  T.  Carlton — these 
three  have  been  among  the  genuinely  true  and 
diligent  workers  for  Christian  education  and 
for  true  Christian  principles  In  Texas  for 
years.  Succeeding  their  lamented  and  noble 
father  with  Carlton  College,  they  struggled  for 
years  against  tremendous  odds.  At  present, 
the  sisters  are  still  in  Bonham.  doing  faithful 
service.  They  are  among  our  highest  types  of 
women.  Their  article  will  be  read  by  every 
one  who  takes  this  volume  in  hand,  and  the 
reading  will  be  marvelously  repaid.  They 
relate  many  incidents  of  which  I  had  no 
knowledge  until  it  was  read  from  their  manu- 
script. 

J.  N.  Ervin  is  the  diligent  and  accomplished 
president  of  the  school  known  as  Jarvis  In- 
stitute, at  Hawkins.    This  is  for  the  education 
252 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 


of  hand  and  mind  and  heart  of  the  colored 
youths  of  the  State  and  elsewhere.  All  who 
have  visited  the  institution  speak  of  it,  and  of 
the  work  and  of  the  Faculty,  in  inspirational 
terms.  "When  the  representatives  from  the 
school  visit  our  State  conventions,  they  thrill 
us  with  their  songs,  talks  and  other  messages. 
The  people  of  the  vicinity  of  Hawkins  testify 
to  the  splendid  worth  of  the  president,  and  of 
those  who  are  associated  with  him,  both  as 
helpers  and  as  students.  Read  what  Brother 
Ervin  has  to  say,  and  you  will  understand  why 
his  work  is  deemed  so  meritorious. 

M.  Boyd  Keith  insists  that  he  is  not  a 
writer.  And  yet  he  writes  to  the  delight  of 
those  who  read.  He  vows  that  he  is  not  a 
speaker,  but  we  sit  in  the  deepest  interest  when 
he  speaks.  He  is  one  of  the  ever-jovial-and- 
always-sunshiny  sort.  He  has  a  heart  which  is 
far  bigger  than  is  his  body,  and  he  is  no  dwarf 
physically.  He  is  the  man-of-all-work  for  our 
benevolent  institutions — the  Juliette  Fowler 
Homes  for  orphans  and  aged  people.  This  is 
his  business,  and  he  sells  autos  as  a  side  line 
by  which  he  can  earn  something  upon  which 
he  and  his  family  can  live.  That  which  he 
says  will  repay  your  reading.    Try  it. 

Arthur  A.  Everts.    Well,  we  all  know 
"Brother  Everts."   His  first  public  message  to 
253 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  people  was,  "Pay  your  tithe  to  the  Lord." 
He  has  never  changed  his  text  nor  his  sermon. 
Always  and  forever  he  says,  'Pay  your  tithe 
to  the  Lord."  And  we  have  begun  to  hearken 
to  the  message,  and  to  pay  our  tithes.  He 
induced  others  to  tithe  by  first  tithing  himself; 
then  by  giving  his  word  to  us  at  conventions; 
then  by  writing  to  us;  then  by  scattering 
literature ;  then  by  engaging  men  to  go  to  the 
churches  and  to  preach  the  gospel  of  the  tithe. 
Everts  can  think  of  more  ways  to  reach  the 
hearts  of  the  people  without  changing  either 
text  or  sermon  than  can  many  living  men  with 
multitudes  of  texts  and  sermons.  Read  what 
Everts  says — tithe. 

Mrs.  G.  D.  Smith,  of  Dallas,  ladies  and 
gentlemen.  All  Texas  knows  her,  and  we  all 
love  her,  and  her  husband  as  well.  Those  two 
Christians  always  attend  conventions,  both 
State  and  general.  Always  are  they  at  the 
services  of  the  local  congregation.  Always  are 
they  taking  a  hand  in  every  sort  of  good  work; 
always  are  they  busy  for  humanity  and  for 
humanity's  God.  Sister  Smith  is  the  excellent 
president  of  the  Texas  C.  W.  B.  M.  Unless 
she  fails  in  physical  strength,  she  will,  doubt- 
less, occupy  this  important  position  for — well, 
forever.  In  this  volume  she  tells  an  interesting 
story  of  the  beginning  and  growth  of  the  or- 

254 


OUR  CONTRIBUTORS 


ganization  over  which  she  presides,  and  of  its 
work.  Read  it  and  you  will  be  anxious  to 
learn  still  more. 


THE  COMPANY  UNNAMED 

Forgotten?  Assuredly  not.  Their  name  is 
legion,  and  their  deeds  are  worthy.  Without 
them,  the  work  of  the  kingdom  in  Texas  would 
not  have  yet  reached  the  proportions  which 
have  been  attained.  These  men  and  women 
have  been  hands  and  feet  and  tongue  and 
brain  and  purse  and  heart.  They  have  planned 
and  prayed  and  toiled,  and  the  fruit  has  been 
largely  theirs.  Among  these  are  some  known 
as  "preachers,"  and  others  who  would  shrink 
from  being  so  classed;  yet  preachers  they  are 
in  deed  and  in  truth.  Some  are  still  among 
us,  while  the  bodies  of  others  lie  beneath  the 
sod.  Let  us  not  say  "ministers  and  laymen." 
Too  noble  have  been  their  lives,  and  too  far- 
reaching  their  influence,  to  mar  it  with  so 
ignoble  a  word  as  "laymen."  I  am  tempted 
to  write  a  list  of  these  heroes  and  heroines; 
but  it  must  not  be.  To  attempt  a  record  of 
their  names  and  deeds — I  am  persuaded  that 
even  Texas  itself  might  not  be  able  to  contain 
the  books  which  could  be  written.  "Hyper- 
bole?"   Read  John  21:25. 

255 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


The  Unnamed — Great  is  this  company  both 
in  numbers  and  in  deeds.  We  remember  with 
gratitude  their  eloquence,  their  diligence,  their 
wisdom,  their  faith,  their  hope,  their  loyalty, 
their  heart  power,  their  charity,  their  sacrifice. 

These  disciples  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ — 
the  unnamed  company — we  salute  in  the  name 
of  the  Texas  brotherhood. 


256 


Studies 

1.  Buried  with  Christ — A  Study 

2.  A  Search  for  "Our  Plea" 


17 


257 


STUDIES 


BURIED  WITH  CHRIST— A 
STUDY 

' '  We  were  buried,  therefore,  with  him,  through  bap- 
tism into  death:  that  like  as  Christ  was  raised  from 
the  dead  through  the  glory  of  the  Father,  so  we,  also, 
might  walk  in  newness  of  life. ' ' — Eom.  6 :  4. 

IS  the  apostle  simply  saying  that,  in  Christian 
baptism,  the  bodies  of  penitent  believers  are 
buried  beneath  the  water?  What  is  buried  in 
baptism  with  the  Lord?  The  physical  body? 
Is  there  truth  in  the  statement  that  a  physical 
action  can  not  attain  to  the  significance  of 
being  "buried  with  Christ"  if  there  is  nothing 
more  to  the  burial  than  an  external  act,  al- 
though the  person  thus  buried  may  be  a  peni- 
tent believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ?  Is, 
or  is  not,  the  burial  with  Christ  a  spiritual 
one?  I  shall  assume  that  it  is  not  necessary 
to  offer  proof  to  my  readers  that  a  burial  with 
the  Christ  includes  a  submergence  of  the  entire 
person  in  Him.  Then,  what  constitutes  "the 
entire  person ' '  ? 

Observe  these  three  teachings  of  the  pas- 
sage: (1)  Baptism  is  into  death;  (2)  the  bap- 
tized are  raised  from  the  dead;  (3)  the  resur- 

259 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


rected  one  walks  in  newness  of  life.  These 
things  could  not  be  spoken  of  the  burial  of  a 
material  body.  The  death  and  burial  and 
resurrection  must  be  of  the  spirit  of  man. 

What  is  the  "newness  of  life"?  Can  it  be 
attained  unless  there  be  first  a  newness  of  pur- 
pose and  of  affection  and  of  thought  ?  ' '  Burial 
with  Christ"  involves  the  burial  of  our  thought 
in  His  thought,  of  our  affection  in  that  which 
He  loves,  and  of  our  will  in  His  will.  These 
are  included  in  "the  entire  man."  The  sub- 
mergence of  our  thought  and  affection  and 
purpose  must  be  more  than  a  doctrine — it  must 
be  a  reality,  if  we  are  to  walk,  as  He  walks, 
in  newness  of  life. 

Is  not  this  the  meaning  of  "faith  in  Jesus 
Christ"?  Have  we  attained  to  even  a  fair 
degree  of  faith  in  Him  when  we  have  intel- 
lectually admitted  the  truth  of  the  facts  of  His 
pure  life,  His  marvelous  wisdom,  His  supreme 
love,  His  miraculous  power,  His  resurrection 
from  the  grave,  His  glorification  and  His  divin- 
ity? All  this  "the  demons  believe"  while  they 
"shudder."  Faith  in  the  Christ  must  not  ex- 
clude this,  but  must  include  this  and  more. 
It  means  the  molding  of  ourselves — our 
thoughts  and  ideals  and  visions  and  hopes  and 
fears  and  purposes  and  prayers — in  His  ideals, 
in  His  will.  Nothing  less  than  this  can  ever 
be  a  complete  burial  with  Christ. 

260 


STUDIES 


But  why  this  burial  with  Him?  Why 
should  man,  an  intellectual  being,  bring  his 
thought  into  subservience  to  that  of  another? 
Why  should  he  sit  at  the  feet  of  any  man? 
Can  not  he  probe  into  and  discover  all  that 
lies  within  the  great  realm  of  thought,  and 
that  without  help  or  direction  from  without 
himself?  Can  not  man,  by  searching,  find 
out  even  God,  with  all  that  God  can  mean? 
Does  he  not  form  his  own  God  from  his  own 
ideals,  and  does  not  his  God  grow  as  his  con- 
ception grows?  Was  not  Colonel  Ingersoll 
right  when  he  said :  ' '  An  honest  God  is  the 
noblest  work  of  man ' '  ? 

The  reply  to  these  questions  depends  upon 
that  given  to  others.  "What  think  you  of 
Jesus  of  Nazareth?  Whose  Son  is  he?"  If 
Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  Jesus  of  Nazareth  alone, 
then  man  should  never  sit  at  His  feet  more 
than  at  the  feet  of  Socrates,  or  of  Shakespeare, 
or  of  Woodrow  Wilson,  or  of  Darwin.  If  He 
is  only  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  no  one  of  us  should 
ever  say  to  Him:  "Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have 
me  to  do?"  If  He  is  Jesus  of  Nazareth  alone, 
He  has  no  more  power  to  lead  us  to  the  highest 
realms  of  the  soul  than  have  other  men,  and 
there  is  in  Him  no  power  to  redeem. 

A  group  of  men  were  approaching  Cassarea 
Philippi,  when  one  asked  an  unusual  question : 
"Who  do  men  say  that  I  am?"  And  men  have 
261 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


been  trying  to  solve  that  very  question.  "Who 
is  he?"  they  asked  one  of  another.  And  some 
said,  "He  is  John  the  Baptist" — John  who 
emptied  the  cities  as  men  flocked  to  the  wilder- 
ness, drawn  by  his  burning  messages;  John, 
a  blazing  star,  leading  the  way  to  repentance 
and  promising  remission  of  sins ;  John,  whose 
bold  loyalty  to  truth  caused  sinful  men  and 
women,  whether  of  high  or  low  degree,  to 
tremble  with  fear;  John,  who  gave  his  life 
because  of  his  adherence  to  the  right,  and  went 
from  the  executioner's  block  to  glory.  This 
Galilean  is  John,  whom  God  chose  from  among 
His  glorified  ones  because  none  on  earth  was 
equal  to  the  task,  for  a  new  and  large  work 
needed  to  be  done  among  men.  Others  said 
"Elijah,"  or  "Jeremiah,"  or  "one  of  the 
prophets;  we  can  not  determine  which."  On 
one  thing  all  agreed — "He  is  a  messenger 
from  above;  one  who  formerly  lived  on  earth 
and  so  faithfully  discharged  his  duties  here 
that  the  God  of  heaven  chose  him  for  a  second 
and  a  larger  mission." 

Viewed  from  their  standpoint  of  oppor- 
tunity, these  men  paid  to  this  Galilean  the 
highest  tribute  possible  from  them,  but  He  of 
whom  they  spake  offered  not  one  word  of 
comment.  Perhaps  they  had  failed  to  reach 
the  true  answer  to  the  question.  Speaking 
more  personally,  He  said :  ' '  Who  do  you  say 

262 


STUDIES 


that  I  am  ? ' '  And  one  of  the  company  replied : 
"Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living 
God."  No  longer  were  the  lips  of  the  Galilean 
sealed.  If  His  questions  were  unusual,  what 
shall  we  say  of  His  commentary  on  the  reply 
of  His  friend?  Hear  it:  "Blessed  art  thou, 
Simon,  son  of  Jonah,  for  flesh  and  blood  hath 
not  revealed  this  unto  thee,  but  my  Father 
who  is  in  heaven ;  and  I  also  say  unto  thee  that 
thou  art  Petros,  and  upon  this  Petra  I  will 
build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of  Hades  shall 
not  prevail  against  it;  and  I  will  give  unto 
thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven;  and 
whatsoever  thou  shalt  bind  on  earth  shall  be 
bound  in  heaven,  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt 
loose  on  earth  shall  be  loosed  in  heaven."  And 
the  historian  added:  "Then  charged  he  his 
disciples  that  they  should  tell  no  man  that  he 
was  the  Christ." 

May  I  digress?  To-day  there  are  polished 
gentlemen,  scholars,  men  of  wisdom,  who  are 
quick  to  reply  to  the  question  of  the  Man  of 
Galilee,  and  their  words  run  something  like 
this:  "Jesus  of  Nazareth,  you  are  a  man 
worthy  of  honor,  a  teacher  of  keen  insight,  a 
leader  of  thought  who  lived  in  advance  of  your 
day.  Notwithstanding  your  early  death,  you 
surpassed  many  of  your  elders,  and  some  even 
of  greater  opportunities.  Your  ideas  were 
noble.  You  drew  inspiration  to  a  remarkable 
263 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


degree,  and  that  from  the  infinite.  You  had 
your  frailties;  mistakes  were  scattered  through 
your  life ;  we  censure  you  not,  because  you 
were,  in  this,  as  our  brothers — all  men  err. 
"We  greet  you  in  our  circle  as  one  of  the 
favored  sons  of  God;  we  honor  your  memory." 

These  men  fall  far  short,  in  their  tribute, 
of  that  of  the  men  of  nineteen  centuries  ago, 
who  pronounced  Him  as  one  of  the  old  proph- 
ets returned  to  earth.  If  the  Master  had  no 
word  of  comment  for  those  of  the  long  ago, 
what  shall  He  say  of  these?  Their  judgment 
was  one  of  human  wisdom — does  this  rise  above 
that  standard,  or  does  it  fall  below  their 
measurement  ?  Theirs  was  false — is  this  true  ? 
The  announcement  made  by  Peter  was  from 
the  Father  in  heaven — unless  either  Jesus  or 
Matthew,  or  both,  have  attempted  to  deceive — 
and  upon  the  truth  there  uttered  rests  the 
church  of  God,  and  all  which  it  means  to  men. 

And  it  is  for  this  very  reason — because 
Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God ; 
because  it  is  on  this  Rock  that  His  church  is 
to  stand;  because  that  which  is  loosed  or  boun<l 
by  this  truth  is  loosed  or  bound  in  heaven — 
that  our  thought  and  affection  and  purpose 
and  life  should  be  buried  in  Him ;  that  we  may 
be  united  with  Him  in  the  likeness  of  His 
death ;  that  we  may  walk  with  Him  in  newness 
of  life. 

264 


STUDIES 


Shall  we  say,  then :  ' '  The  spiritual  side  of 
Christian  baptism  is  the  essential  thing,  and, 
therefore,  the  form  is  of  no  consequence,  and 
we  are  at  liberty  to  alter  it  or  to  substitute 
for  it  as  may  please  our  fancy  or  suit  our  con- 
venience"? If  we  are  inclined  to  thus  reason, 
should  we  not  study  anew  the  words  "a  true 
likeness"  in  1  Pet.  3:21?  Let  us  come  to- 
gether and  open  our  Bibles  and  carefully  read 
verses  18-22.  Perhaps  we  have  now  read  these 
words,  and  are  ready  for  meditation.  On  the 
wall  of  our  room  may  be  "a  true  likeness" 
of  a  sainted  mother.  Certainly  it  is  no  more 
than  cardboard  and  shadow,  but  no  other 
picture  in  all  the  world  must  be  substituted 
for  that  of  mother ;  we  would  firmly  resist 
its  being  changed  by  false  shadows,  and 
our  blood  would  boil  at  the  slightest  attempt 
at  mutilation.  The  burial  of  the  body  of  a 
penitent  believer  is  a  "true  likeness"  of  the 
burial  of  his  Lord,  and  also  a  "true  likeness" 
of  the  burial  of  his  spirit  and  thought  and 
will  and  life  in  the  will  of  the  Christ  of  God. 
Shall  this  "true  likeness"  be  marred? 

Observe  how  intimately  this  Christian  or- 
dinance is,  in  the  Scriptures,  associated  with 
things  of  the  divine:  "Baptizing  them  into 
the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the  Holy 
Spirit;"  "He  that  believeth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved;"  "Repent,  and  be  baptized 
265 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  ye  shall 
receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit;"  "Was 
Paul  crucified  for  you  or  were  you  baptized 
into  the  name  of  Paul?"  "Eight  souls  were 
saved  through  water;  which  also  after  a  true 
likeness  doth  now  save  you,  even  baptism,  not 
the  putting  away  o-  the  filth  of  the  flesh, 
but  the  interrogation  of  a  good  conscience 
toward  God,  through  the  resurrection  of  Jesus 
Christ."  Collect  them — "name  of  Father, 
Son  and  Holy  Spirit,"  "salvation,"  "remission 
of  sins,"  "gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  crucifixion 
of  our  Lord,  "interrogation  of  a  good  con- 
science toward  God" — think  you  that  men  of 
faith  would  dare  to  declare  as  of  small  signifi- 
cance anything  which  either  the  Christ  or  the 
Holy  Spirit  has  used  in  such  relationship? 
Would  they  not,  rather,  say:  "That  which 
God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder ' '  ? 

There  are  two  classes  of  extremists  in  the 
interpretation  of  Rom.  6 : 1-11.  Both  are  false 
teachers,  because  of  that  which  they  omit. 
Both  give  limited,  and.  therefore,  false,  inter- 
pretations. Each  teaches  truth,  but  neither  the 
whole  truth  of  the  passage.  One  sees  nothing 
but  "form"  in  baptism  in  water;  the  other 
fails  to  discover  the  beautiful  symbol  expressed 
by  an  outward  action,  and  fails  to  appreciate 
the  importance  of  retaining  the  symbol  just  as 
266 


STUDIES 


it  was  given  by  our  Lord.  One  follows  the 
Pharisee  in  external  formality;  the  other  fol- 
lows the  Quaker  friend  in  bringing  a  divinely 
given  symbol  into  disuse. 

In  Christian  baptism  there  is  an  envelop- 
ment of  the  entire  being — body,  soul,  spirit. 
The  "inner  man"  is  in  spiritual  burial  with 
the  Lord;  the  "outward  man"  gives  impressive 
expression  of  this  spiritual  burial  by  its  own 
immersion  in  water,  as  the  Lord  directs  in  His 
word. 

Like  faith  and  repentance,  Christian  bap- 
tism never  ceases.  The  burial  is  one  for  all 
time  and  for  all  eternity.  "Our  life  is  hid 
with  Christ  in  God." 


267 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


A  SEARCH  FOR  "OUR  PLEA" 

REFERRING  to  those  people  who  have 
made  the  claim  of  being  engaged  in  a 
movement  for  restoration,  for  what  are  we 
distinctively  pleading?  Is  the  expression  "Our 
Plea"  to  be  tabooed?  Most  certainly  so — if 
the  "plea"  is  primarily  "ours."  Most  cer- 
tainly not — if  we  have  accepted  a  plea  given 
to  us  from  above.  In  the  same  sense  in  which 
the  church  of  Christ  is  "our  church,"  or  the 
gospel  of  Christ  is  "our  gospel,"  is  the  plea 
for  which  we  contend  "Our  Plea."  Is  that 
plea  for  "restoration,"  or  for  "union,"  or  for 
both? 

A  recent  newspaper  article  expatiated  large- 
ly in  criticism  of  a  political  orator  who  at- 
tempted to  hold  before  the  people  as  a  goal 
the  theories  of  government  laid  down  by 
Thomas  Jefferson.  The  writer  reminded  us 
that  the  world  is  no  longer  living  in  the  time 
of  Jefferson,  but  in  the  tremendous  present. 
While  Thomas  Jefferson's  thoughts  may  have 
been  wise  for  the  days  of  Jefferson,  some  of 
them  are  out  of  date  to-day.  These  statements 
were  applied  to  the  church,  and  it  was  insisted 
268 


STUDIES 


that  some  church  people,  in  order  to  be  use- 
ful, were  pointing  us  to  the  ways  of  the  an- 
cients, rather  than  thinking  in  the  thought  of 
to-day,  and  looking  to  the  things  for  to-mor- 
row. Was  the  illustration  apt  ?  Are  the  cases 
parallel  ? 

If  restoration  is  our  plea,  what  do  we  seek 
to  restore?  Is  it  obsolete  forms  which  could 
serve  no  purpose  save  that  of  being  sacredly 
preserved  in  glass  cases  for  the  gratifying  of 
the  curious?  Is  it  to  think  and  live  in  the 
ways  of  the  ancients,  simply  because  all  wis- 
dom was  with  them?  Or,  may  it  be  possible 
that  we  are  striving  and  praying  for  a  restora- 
tion of  the  fullness  of  the  truth  which  was 
given  to  the  world  by  Jesus  Christ — truth  upon 
which  no  human  thought  or  discovery  can  im- 
prove? May  it  be  that  we  are  trying  to  con- 
tend "for  the  faith  which  was  once  for  all 
delivered  to  the  saints"?  May  it  be  that  we 
are  striving  to  restore  a  full  recognition  of 
the  authority  of  that  name  of  which  it  was 
said:  "There  is  no  other  name  given  under 
heaven  or  among  men  by  which  we  may  be 
saved"?  Is  it  possible  that  there  has  been  an 
obscuring  of  the  teachings  of  the  great  com- 
mission of  Him  who  possessed  "all  authority 
in  heaven  and  on  earth,"  and  that  we  have 
been,  in  a  humble  way,  attempting  to  scatter 
the  clouds  which  have  gathered  about  it? 
269 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


If  it  should  be  said  that  we  are  attempting 
to  restore  the  church  of  the  first  century,  what 
is  meant?  "Were  there  blunders  and  false 
teachings  and  sins  in  that  early  church, 
brought  about  by  the  weaknesses  of  men,  and 
is  our  plea  for  the  copying  of  those  blunders 
and  false  teachings  and  sins?  Are  we  attempt- 
ing to  copy  or  to  ask  others  to  follow  the 
teachings  or  lives  of  any  man  or  set  of  men 
who  acted  upon  their  own  initiative,  or  who 
were  moved  by  their  own  weaknesses?  Is 
there  to  be  a  differentiation  between  the  prin- 
ciples and  commands  and  examples  of  men  who 
taught  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  of  those  who  departed  from  those  same 
teachings?  Are  we  to  suppose  that  the  teach- 
ing of  the  brethren  who  insisted  that  all  Gen- 
tiles must  be  circumcised  before  they  can  be 
saved,  and  those  of  Paul  claiming  that  these 
men  were  destroying  the  very  things  for  which 
Christ  died — are  both  of  these  to  be  counted 
as  examples  in  our  attempts  for  restoration? 
In  order  to  be  "apostolic"  may  we  choose 
between  the  manner  in  which  the  church  of 
Jerusalem  observed  the  Lord's  Supper,  and 
that  of  the  church  in  Corinth?  Is  it  possible 
that  those  who  sneer  at  the  thought  of  copying 
the  teachings  and  examples  of  the  primitive 
church  can  not  discern  the  difference  between 
the  two? 

270 


STUDIES 


If  we  are  to  live  in  "the  glorious  present," 
in  the  sense  in  which  this  is  sometimes  urged 
upon  us,  and  if  we  are  to  seek  primarily  the 
inspiration  which  the  now  has  to  offer,  in  what 
direction  shall  we  look  for  guidance?  There 
are  many  voices  from  the  mountains,  or  the 
wildernesses,  or  the  deserts,  crying,  "Lo, 
here,"  or  "Lo,  there,"  is  Christ!  To  which 
of  these  shall  we  turn?  Shall  it  be  to  the 
"seers"  of  the  darkened  room  and  of  the  mys- 
terious writings?  Shall  it  be  Mrs.  White,  or 
Mrs.  Mary  Baker  Eddy,  or  Emanuel  Sweden- 
borg,  or  Madame  Blavatsky,  or  Joseph  Smith, 
or  the  "modern  prophets"  of  "The  New  The- 
ology," or  to  our  own  "inner  consciousness," 
or  to  John  Alexander  Dowie,  or  to  the 
"Holy  Rollers"?  May  we  determine  that 
one  or  more  of  these  are  honest,  and  all  the 
others  are  frauds?  By  what  standard  shall 
we  choose  between  these?  Or,  if  all  are 
to  be  discarded,  where  shall  we  turn  and 
what  better  reason  have  for  going  else- 
where ? 

All  schools  of  "modern  prophets"  agree 
at  one  point;  they  all,  some  to  a  greater  and 
some  to  a  less  extent,  repudiate  some  of  the 
things  which  were  taught  by  the  Man  of  Galilee, 
and  by  those  to  whom  He  is  reputed  to  have 
said  that  He  would  send  to  them  the  Holy 
Spirit,  who  should  bring  to  their  remembrance 
271 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


all  things  which  He  had  said  unto  them,  and 
would  lead  them  into  all  truth. 

If  our  plea  is  for  restoration,  are  we  seek- 
ing a  person — for  example,  the  Man  of  Galilee 
— and  His  words  as  our  polar  star?  Is  it 
possible  that,  if  we  should  be  found  to  be  thus 
"looking  backward,"  we  are  to  be  classed 
among  those  church  people  who  "should  have 
lived  one  hundred  or  five  hundred  years  ago 
in  order  to  be  useful,"  because  we  have  been 
exposed  as  "pointing  to  the  ways  of  the  an- 
cients"? Are  such  persons  looking  to  a  moss- 
covered  past  for  their  inspiration?  Has  any 
one  or  all  of  the  "modern  prophets"  surpassed 
those  teachings  and  examples  in  so  much  as  a 
single  particular?  Is  it  at  all  probable  that 
he  who  throws  alike  all  modern  prophets  into 
the  discard,  and  accepts  as  his  infallible  guid- 
ance the  things  spoken  by  men  to  whom  the 
Son  of  God  promised  He  would  send  the  Holy 
Spirit,  who  would  "guide  them  into  all  truth" 
— that  these  may  be  looking,  not  backward  nor 
downward,  but  forward  and  upward,  notwith- 
standing the  intervening  of  nineteen  centuries? 

Lest  some  one  should  still  ask,  after  what 
has  already  been  said.  "If  we  are  to  attempt 
to  follow  only  the  Man  of  Galilee,  how  may 
we  know  what  it  was  that  He  really  said  to 
men?"  we  quote,  at  the  risk  of  repetition.  His 
words  to  them.  Hear  Him:  "All  authority 
272 


STUDIES 


hath  been  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  on 
earth.  Therefore,  go  ye.  .  .  .  Ye  shall  bear 
witness  because  ye  have  been  with  me  from  the 
beginning.  .  .  .  These  things  have  I  spoken  to 
you  while  I  was  yet  abiding  with  you,  but  the 
Comforter,  even  the  Holy  Spirit,  whom  the 
Father  will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach 
you  all  things,  and  bring  to  your  remembrance 
all  that  I  said  unto  you.  All  things  whatsoever 
the  Father  hath  are  mine,  therefore  I  said  that 
he  shall  take  of  mine  and  shall  declare  it  unto 
you.  .  .  .  Make  disciples  of  all  the  nations, 
baptizing  them  into  the  name  of  the  Father, 
the  Son  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  teaching  them 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  com- 
manded you;  and,  lo,  I  am  with  you  always, 
even  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

We  are  to  seek  for  Him,  and  for  that  which 
He  spoke,  as  our  only  basis  for  restoration, 
and  His  teachings  may  be  known  only  through 
those  whom  He  authorized  to  speak  to  the 
world  for  Him.  To  the  Father  He  said,  "The 
words  which  thou  hast  given  unto  me,  I  have 
given  unto  them,"  and  He  prayed  "for  them 
who  believe  on  me  through  their  word." 

If  our  plea  is  for  union,  what  do  we  seek 
to  unite?  Are  we  to  look  for  a  great  coming 
into  one  of  the  ecclesiastical  bodies  of  Christen- 
dom? Is  one  powerful  organization  to  be 
reached  through  agreements  entered  into  by 
18  273 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


denominations  as  such  as  to  what  each  shall 
surrender  or  have  imposed  upon  them  by 
others?  Is  this  the  union  for  which  we  plead, 
and  for  which  the  Master  prayed?  Are  we 
seeking  to  evolve  through  mutual  concessions 
a  ground  for  union  which  is  to  be  possible, 
workable  and  desirable?  Shall  we  attempt  to 
force  a  combination,  regardless  of  all  standards 
beyond  those  of  our  mutual  agreements?  Will 
federation  of  denominations  accomplish  that 
for  which  the  Lord  so  fervently  prayed? 

Numerous  plans  for  union  are  in  the  air. 
There  is  no  dearth  of  desire  for  union,  and 
this  is  to  be  appreciated.  But  the  church  of 
Christ  must  look  beyond  a  formal  unity  alone. 
One  must  never  be  charged  with  marring  the 
fellowship  of  the  brotherhood  because  he 
pauses  to  ask  whether  plans  proposed  are  plans 
for  which  the  Saviour  prayed,  and  which  will 
accomplish  His  will.  If  some  should  ask  to 
be  excused  from  following  new  and  self-ap- 
pointed leaders  who  claim  to  be  blazing  a  new 
and  untried  way  to  union,  they  must  be  given 
credit  for  at  least  pausing  to  ask:  "Lord,  what 
wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do  just  now?"  If 
churches  and  individuals  should  be  told  that 
the  glory-paved  way  to  the  long-sought-for 
union  of  the  people  of  God  is  to  be  found 
through  "open  membership,"  surely  they  may 
be  pardoned  if  they  should  ask  of  those  who 
274 


STUDIES 


thus  earnestly  plead,  for  some  evidence  that 
those  who  have  already  been  practicing  this 
have  found  it  workable  and  successful.  Many 
have  not  yet  ceased  to  read  the  history  of  the 
contentions  of  those  who  disclaimed  the  action 
of  Barton  W.  Stone,  insisting  that  he  had 
thrown  away  one  of  the  fundamental  bases 
upon  which  Christian  union  might  be  built. 
And  many  have  not  overlooked  the  fact  that 
there  have  been  those  who  have  announced 
themselves  as  "liberal"  in  the  matter  of  bap- 
tism in  that  they  "give  to  each  his  choice  as 
to  form,"  and  that  there  has  been  no  over- 
whelming rush  to  those  bodies  for  the  sake  of 
Christian  union ;  indeed,  they  have  been 
struggling  for  almost  three-quarters  of  a  cen- 
tury to  induce  their  own  brethren — those  who 
wear  their  own  denominational  names — to 
throw  away  barriers  which  divide,  and  with 
but  exceedingly  small  success.  Many  have  not 
overlooked  the  fact  that  if  sentiment  and  the 
recognition  of  character,  wisdom,  culture  and 
piety  are  to  be  made  gates  into  congregational 
fellowship,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  extend 
this  to  Quakers,  extreme  Unitarians,  and  to 
many  "Freethinkers,"  and  substitute  an  en- 
tirely new  program  for  that  which  the  inspired 
apostles  were  taught  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
follow.  Those  who  are  not  ready  to  throw 
away  all  lessons  from  past  history  and  from 

275 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


all  inspired  teachings  on  these  points,  are  glad 
to  seek  for  mutual  understandings,  to  engage 
in  all  proper  co-operation,  to  study  in  love 
for  the  way  to  union,  but,  with  them,  these 
things  should  be  attempted  under  the  fullest 
realization  of  the  supremacy  of  Jesus  the 
Christ.  They  can  enter  no  agreement  or  alli- 
ance which  does  not  take  cognizance  of  the 
revealed  teachings  of  Him  who  spake  with  "all 
authority." 

Has  the  search  for  our  plea  led  us  into  the 
proverbial  ''blind  alley'"?  Let  us  hope  for 
something  better  than  this.  Not  as  an  ulti- 
mate statement,  but  for  us  to  consider.  I  ask 
whether  that  given  below  looks  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  plea  for  which  our  Lord  would 
have  us  to  stand. 

"We  plead 

For  a  people  united  in  complete  submission  to 
Jesus  as  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God. 

For  a  people  engaged  in  the  proclamation  of 
that  gospel  which  is  ' '  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation,"  which  He  "spake  to  us  in  his  Son,  .  .  . 
the  heir  of  all  things,  .  .  .  the  effulgence  of  his 
glory,  .  .  .  the  image  of  his  substance,  who  sat 
down  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high. ' ' 

For  a  people  united  in  the  service  of  human 
beings  as  the  Master  served  them. 

For  a  united  discipleship  seeking  the  restora- 
tion of  the  only  gospel — its  faith,  its  ordinances 
and  its  life — that  the  world  may  be  redeemed. 


276 


Worth-while  Gleanings 


277 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


ONDON  Christian:  It  is  the  lifted  face  that 


l—i  feels  the  shining  of  the  sun. 

The  Christian:  Speaking  without  thinking 
is  like  shooting  without  taking  aim. 

Author  Unknown :  Wisdom  is  knowing  what 
to  do;  virtue  is  doing  it. 

Anonymous :  He  who  never  changes  any  of 
his  opinions  never  corrects  any  of  his  mistakes. 

Charles  H.  Parkhurst:  Better  say,  "This 
one  thing  I  do,"  than,  "These  fifty  things  I 
dabble  in." 

World  Outlook:  If  the  war  has  taught  the 
world  anything,  it  is  that  the  destinies  of  men 
and  nations  are  determined  by  what  they  are 
in  their  minds  and  hearts. 

W.  J.  Bryan :  There  is  no  new  way ;  it  is 
the  old,  narrow  way.  Temptations  are  the 
same  in  substance  that  they  were  in  the  past, 
and  the  prodigal  son  of  to-day  tells  a  like  story 
of  husks  and  hogs  to  a  father  as  anxious  and 
forgiving. 

Robert  Stuart  MacArthur:  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  pearl  and  crown  of  humanity;  He  is  the 
loftiest  specimen  the  race  has  produced ;  He  is 


279 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


the  fullest  manifestation  of  divinity  God  has 
given  the  world;  He  is  the  effulgence  of  God's 
glory,  and  the  very  image  of  His  substance. 

Unknown :  Forget  the  class  and  remember 
the  man;  forget  the  price  and  remember  the 
pearl ;  forget  the  labor  and  remember  the  fruit ; 
forget  the  temple  and  remember  God. 

Jude:  "Now  unto  him  who  is  able  to  guard 
you  from  stumbling,  and  to  set  you  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  without  blemish  in  ex- 
ceeding joy,  to  the  only  God  our  Saviour, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  be  glory, 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  before  all  time, 
now  and  for  evermore." 

Soliloquist  Unknown : 

The  Lazy  Man's  Soliloquy. 
I  wish  I  was  a  rock,  a-settin'  on  a  hill, 
I  wouldn't  do  a  thing  all  day  but  just  sit  still; 
I  wouldn't  work;  I  wouldn't  think;  I  wouldn't  even 
wash ; 

I'd  sit  right  there  a  thousand  years,  and  rest  myself, 
begosh. 

Joyce  Kilmer  (who  gave  his  life  in  France)  : 
The  Tree. 
I  think  that  I  shall  never  see 
A  poem  lovely  as  a  tree; 
A  tree  whose  hungry  mouth  is  prest 
Against  the  earth's  sweet  flowing  breast; 
A  tree  that  looks  at  God  all  day 
And  lifts  her  leafy  arms  to  pray; 
A  tree  that  may  in  summer  wear 
A  nest  of  robins  in  her  hair ; 

280 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


Upon  whose  bosom  snow  has  lain 
Who  intimately  lives  with  rain. 
Poems  are  made  by  fools  like  me, 
But  only  God  can  make  a  tree. 

Henry  Van  Dyke:  Let  not  the  church  falter 
and  blush  for  her  doctrines.  Let  her  not  turn 
and  go  down  the  hill  of  knowledge  to  defend 
her  position  in  the  valley  of  ignorance.  Let 
her  go  up  the  hill,  welcoming  every  wider  out- 
look, rejoicing  in  every  new  discovery,  gather- 
ing fresh  evidences  of  the  truths  which  man 
must  believe  concerning  God,  and  new  motives 
to  the  duties  which  God  requires  of  man. 

My  brethren,  we  must  work  and  pray  for 
a  true  revival  of  Christian  doctrine  in  our  age. 
We  must  deepen  our  own  hold  upon  the  truths 
which  Christ  has  taught  us. 

Job: 

"Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him! 
That  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat! 
I  would  set  my  cause  in  order  before  him, 
And  fill  my  mouth  with  arguments. 
Behold,  I  go  forward,  but  he  is  not  there; 
And  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  him ; 
But  he  Tcnoweth  the  way  that  I  take; 
When  he  trieth  me  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold." 

Peter  Welshimer:  "If  thou  knewest  the  gift 
of  God."  That's  the  trouble.  The  world  does 
not  know.  The  Samaritan  woman  did  not 
know;  neither  did  her  people.  God's  gift  is 
life  eternal,  and  it  comes  through  conforming 
281 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


to  His  will.  The  means  by  which  this  gift  is 
procured  is  in  Jesus  Christ,  in  His  own  divine- 
ly appointed  way.  "We  call  it  the  great  plan 
of  redemption,  and  a  plan  it  truly  is.  It  makes 
its  appeal  to  both  mind  and  heart ;  there  is 
absolutely  nothing  unreasonable.  The  pity  is 
that  men  have  mutilated  it  by  additions  and 
subtractions,  and  have  robbed  it  of  some  of  its 
attractiveness  and  power.  It  is  the  business 
of  the  Christian  to  lead  the  world  to  know  this 
gift  of  God. 

Alexander  Campbell :  Christianity  can  not 
be  reformed.  Every  attempt  is  like  that  to 
create  a  new  sun,  or  to  change  the  revolutions 
of  the  heavenly  bodies — unprofitable  and  vain. 
In  a  word,  we  have  had  reformation  enough. 
.  .  .  A  restoration  of  the  ancient  order  of 
things  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  the  happiness 
and  usefulness  of  Christians.  ...  To  bring  the 
societies  of  Christians  up  to  the  New  Testament 
is  just  to  bring  the  disciples,  individually  and 
collectively,  to  walk  in  the  faith  and  in  the 
commandments  of  the  Lord  and  Saviour,  as 
presented  in  that  blessed  volume;  and  this  is 
to  restore  the  ancient  order  of  things.  Cele- 
brated as  the  era  of  reformation  is,  we  doubt 
not  but  that  the  era  of  restoration  will  far 
transcend  it  in  importance  and  fame. 

Anonymous :  "I  have  not  time  to  pray.  If 
my  lifp  was  not  so  full.  If  you  knew  how 
282 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


hard  I  work  from  morn  to  night.  What  time 
is  there  for  me  to  think  and  to  pray?"  This 
is  as  if  an  engine  had  no  room  for  steam; 
as  if  a  tree  had  no  room  for  the  sap;  as  if 
a  man  had  no  room  for  soul.  It  is  as  if  the 
ocean  had  no  place  for  the  tide,  or  a  life  had 
no  time  to  live.  Prayer  is  not  something  added 
to  life — it  is  life.  Let  no  one  say,  I  have  no 
time  for  prayer. 

George  D.  Barrett,  of  the  Congregational 
Union  of  England  and  Wales :  There  is  no  little 
peril  in  the  broadening  of  theological  thought, 
in  the  present  day;  of  its  being  tacitly  as- 
sumed that  the  differences  which  separate  those 
who  affirm  and  those  who  deny  that  Jesus 
Christ  was  the  personal  manifestation  of  God 
in  human  flesh,  the  God-man,  are  trivial  and 
unimportant.  For  many  who  are  unable  to 
worship  Christ  as  God  I  have  the  deepest  re- 
gard and  respect.  Their  moral  life  and  charac- 
ter, their  sincerity  and  conviction,  their  intel- 
lectual elevation — these  win  no  reluctant  ad- 
miration from  me ;  but  the  theological  and 
doctrinal  differences  which  divide  us  are  vital 
and  profound.  The  chasm  which  separates  one 
who  affirms  and  one  who  denies  the  Godhead  of 
Jesus  is  not  to  be  bridged  by  personal  regard, 
however  real  and  deep.  If  Jesus  be  in  very 
deed,  and  in  a  sense  true  of  Him  alone  among 
all  the  sons  of  men,  the  Son  of  God,  then  this 
283 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


tremendous  fact  alters  and  colors  all  my  rela- 
tion to  Him.  The  homage  I  pay  to  Him,  the 
reverence  I  owe  to  His  supreme  authority,  are 
His  alone.  I  look  behind  the  darkness  and 
desolation  of  the  cross,  beyond  the  empty  tomb, 
to  the  throne  and  the  crown ;  I  fall  down 
crying,  "Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  hath  been 
slain  to  receive  the  power,  and  riches,  and  wis- 
dom, and  might,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and 
blessing, '  *  and,  all  through  my  earthly  life,  as 
I  follow  Him  whom  I  trust  and  whom  I  serve, 
there  is  the  whisper  in  my  heart  of  a  silent 
adoration:  "My  Lord  and  my  God." 

M.  B.  Ryan  ("In  Quiet  Places"):  Moses— 
amid  the  silence  of  the  wilderness  for  forty 
years,  much  of  it  in  getting  an  unexaggerated 
estimate  of  himself;  much  of  it  in  unlearning 
that  "wisdom  of  the  Egyptians"  for  which  he 
had  become  famous ;  all  of  it  getting  ready  for 
that  vision  of  the  burning  bush,  that  commis- 
sion from  Jehovah,  that  ministry  by  which  he 
created  a  nation,  and  put  his  impress  on  the 
ages.  Elijah — hiding  in  remote  ravines,  and  in 
homes  of  the  humble,  and  darting  out  from 
his  concealment,  with  face  of  flint  and  tongue 
of  fire,  to  summon  people  and  princes  to  judg- 
ment, and  to  reverse  the  currents  of  history. 
John  the  Baptist — living  the  hermit  life  amid 
the  crags  and  caverns  of  Judea 's  waste  places ; 
then,  like  an  apparition,  coming  forth  as  a 
284 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


conscience  for  his  nation,  summoning  them  to 
repentance,  and  to  readiness  for  the  King. 
Paul — wrenched  from  a  fruitless  warfare 
against  the  eternal  councils ;  given  time  within 
the  deeps  of  Arabia's  solitudes,  for  healing, 
for  readjustment,  for  filling  with  that  dynamic 
which  was  to  carry  him,  on  an  ever-widening 
field,  to  unmatched  lengths  of  service  and 
heights  of  achievement.  To  some  such  seclu- 
sion, some  time  or  other,  must  every  life  come 
that  would  realize  itself.  We  find  ourselves 
only  when  the  world  has  lost  us.  How  many 
miss  the  fair  promises  of  life's  morning  be- 
cause they  refuse  this  hiding. 

Miss  Isabel  B.  Holbrook  (A  word  of  expla- 
nation :  This  selection  is  considered  as  among 
the  "Worth-while  Gleanings,"  not  because  of 
the  truth  which  it  brings,  because  this  may  or 
may  not  be  there,  but  because  of  the  excellent 
example  which  it  furnishes  of  the  far-away-ed- 
ness  to  which  folks  can  go  when  they  begin 
to  follow  the  jack-o '-lanterns  of  the  marshes. 
Miss  Holbrook  is  a  lecturer  for  Theosophy, 
and  this  excerpt  is  taken  from  a  lecture  which 
she  delivered  before  the  society  of  her  faith  or 
un-faith,  in  Kimball  Hall,  Chicago)  :  "By  a 
proper  application  of  education  and  Karma, 
combined  with  gestation,  and  in  line  with  the 
higher  understanding  of  the  interrelationship 
of  the  involutional  and  evolutional  theories,  or, 
285 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


rather,  principles,  we  will  soon  be  bearing  chil- 
dren full  grown." 
Unknown : 

It's  easy  to  stride  where  the  road  is  wide 

And  the  pavement  is  firm  and  fine; 
It  's  easy  to  skip  at  a  good,  stiff  clip 

When  the  road  is  a  long,  white  line; 
It 's  jolly,  good  fun  down  the  hill  to  run, 

If  there  isn't  a  chance  to  fall — 
But  the  man's  true  blue  if  he  just  plugs  through 

Where  there  isn't  a  path  at  all. 

Harry  Lauder  in  Interview  by  Fred  Lock- 
ley,  of  the  Oregon  Journal:  Men  can  no  longer 
say  that  the  birth,  the  life,  the  crucifixion  and 
the  death  on  the  cross  of  the  Son  of  man  do 
not  concern  them.  He  made  the  supreme  sacri- 
fice that  men  might  have  life.  Possibly  I  could 
not  understand  its  full  significance  a  few  years 
ago ;  but  I  do  now.  My  own  laddie,  my  only 
bairn,  laid  down  his  life  for  his  fellows;  he 
made  the  supreme  sacrifice.  Thousands  of 
other  parents,  like  Annie  and  myself,  have 
had  their  Gethsemane.  My  boy  John  lies  on 
the  hillside  beyond  Hamel,  in  Picardy,  where 
he  fell.  .  .  .  Am  I  a  Scotch  Presbyterian?  Yes, 
but  at  the  front,  in  France,  I  got  a  new  vision 
of  life  and  what  it  means.  It  means  service — 
service  for  others.  I  am  for  the  simple  re- 
ligion of  Jesus  Christ.  I  want  no  man  nor 
creed  to  come  between  me  and  my  God.  We 
286 


WORTH-WHILE  GLEANINGS 


have  too  many  creeds.  We  pay  so  much  atten- 
tion to  our  doctrines  and  creeds  that,  some- 
times, I  think  we  forget  God.  We  are  all 
serving  under  the  same  great  Commander,  and 
all  marching  forward  and  upward  toward  the 
same  destination.  .  .  .  The  day  has  come  for 
the  wiping  out  of  religious  intolerance  and 
animosities. 

Roy  Moulton: 

If  I  had  my  life  to  live  over  again, 

And  could  know  all  the  things  I  know  now, 
I 'd  tower  with  all  of  the  proudest  of  men, 

And  make  folks  take  notice,  I  vow. 
I'd  start  making  money  when  seven  years  old; 

I  would  pinch,  I  would  scrape,  I  would  save; 
I'd  scheme  and  I'd  plan  for  a  fortune  untold; 

I  would  work,  I  would  toil,  I  would  slave ; 
By  trickery  dark,  by  deceit  and  by  stealth, 

I  would  pile  up  the  gold  my  life  through ; 
I  would  sadden  the  world  by  power  of  wealth — 

And  then,  maybe  I  wouldn't.    Would  you? 

Perhaps  I  never  would  have  time  to  enjoy 

The  glories  of  nature  and  life, 
But  would  use  every  moment  that  I  could  employ 

In  the  whirl  of  the  money-mad  strife. 
Perhaps  I  never  would  take  time  to  feel 

A  small  bit  of  compassion  for  those 
I  relentlessly  crushed  'neath  my  grim  iron  heel, 

Or  to  lessen  their  torture  and  woes. 
Perhaps  I  never  would  find  time  to  gaze 

Into  heaven's  superb  vault  of  blue, 
Or  to  hear  the  birds  warble  their  glorious  lays — 

But  I  guess  that  I  would — wouldn't  youf 

287 


Rhymes 

1.  To  the  End  of  Your  Row 

2.  Keep  Going 


in 


289 


I 


RHYMES 


RHYMES 

(Written  (or  my  Student*.) 

To  the  End  of  Your  Row. 

The  row  may  be  long 

And  the  hoeing  be  tough ; 

The  sun  may  shine  hot 
And  the  walking  be  rough; 

The  boss  may  be  grouchy 
And  the  pay  not  enough — 

But  hoe  to  the  end  of  your  row. 

To  "strike"  may  look  pleasing, 
To  "quit"  seem  the  word: 

To  ' '  loaf ' '  be  inviting 
With  loins  all  ungird ; 
' '  The  work  is  too  irksome ' ' 
Be  everywhere  heard — 

Yet  hoe  to  the  end  of  your  row. 

Be  a  man,  then,  my  lad; 

Be  a  woman,  my  girl ; 
Mix  a  smile  with  your  tear 

And  stay  in  the  whirl ; 
Have  God  for  your  star, 

Success  for  your  goal — 
And  plug  to  the  end  of  your  row. 

Keep  Going 

Take  this  motto  with  you,  lad — 

Keep  going; 
If  you'd  drive  away  the  sad — 

Keep  going; 
If  the  day  is  full  of  joy, 
Or  your  life  seems  all  alloy — 
No  matter  what  it  is,  my  boy, 

Keep  going. 
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DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Companions  mar  be  rough,  my  lad — 

Keep  going ; 
And  others  ' '  awful  tough, ' '  my  lad — 

Keep  going; 
Every  teacher  may  be  glum, 
Every  student  may  be  bum, 
You  the  only  one- — well,  eome ; 

Keep  going. 

"When  the  clouds  are  dark  and  low, 

Keep  going ; 
Tho '  there  be  no  sign  of  glow, 

Keep  going ; 
Tho'  the  gold  all  seems  as  dross, 
And  your  life  seems  only  loss, 
Smile  beneath  the  heavy  cross — 

Keep  going. 

If  rank  doubts  disturb  your  soul 

Keep  going; 
If  to  fail  appears  your  goal, 

Keep  going ; 
When  God  seems  to  hide  His  face, 
And  no  glimpse  of  Him  you  trace, 
Stiffen  with  a  cheerful  grace — 

Keep  going. 

The  battle's  for  the  brave,  my  lad — 

Keep  going; 
The  victory  to  the  true,  my  lad — 

Keep  going; 
See !  yonder  is  a  God  of  might ; 
Above  you  is  the  God  of  right ; 
So  near  you  is  this  God  of  light, 
Who  points  a  destiny  that's  bright — 

Keep  going. 


292 


Forms 

Ordination  of  Ministers 
Ordination  of  Elders,  Deacons,  Deacon- 
esses 

Dedication  of  House  of  Worship 

Dedication  of  Building  for  Christian  Edu- 
cation 

Laying  Corner-stone  of  Church  Building 


293 


FORMS 


FORMS 

(Ordinations,  Dedications,  Laying  Corner- 
stones. Inserted  at  the  suggestion  of  L.  D. 
Anderson,  pastor  of  First  Christian  Church, 
Fort  Worth.) 

Ordination  of  Ministers 

1.  An  Appropriate  Sermon  (with  candidates 
for  ordination  seated  in  front  of  the  speaker). 

2.  Scripture  Readings  (1  Tim.  1:18,  19; 
4:15,  16;  2  Tim.  2:15;  4:1-4;  Tit.  2:7,  8). 

3.  Charge  to  Candidates  (candidates  stand- 
ing). 

My  brethren,  you  have  announced  your 
purpose  to  dedicate  your  lives  to  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I 
charge  you  to  bear  these  things  well  in  mind: 

(1)  Your  ministry  as  a  gospel  preacher 
should  be  for  two  purposes: 

a.  To  win  men  and  women  to  Christ. 

6.  To  build  them  up  in  Christ. 

When  properly  considered,  these  will  be 
found  to  cover  your  entire  work.  Do  you  ac- 
cept this  as  your  mission  ? 

(Answer.) 

295 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


(2)  Your  field  is  the  world.  Personally, 
you  can  not  touch  every  spot  of  earth,  nor  can 
you  preach  to  every  soul.  Still,  your  field  is 
the  world.  You  should  reach  all  which  your 
opportunity  presents,  whether  by  means  of  co- 
operation or  otherwise.  Do  you  accept  the 
world  as  your  field? 

(Answer.) 

(3)  Your  authority  lies  not  in  yourself,  nor 
in  any  other  human  being,  but  alone  in  Him 
who  said,  "All  authority  hath  been  given  unto 
me  in  heaven  and  on  earth."  Do  you  accept 
this  as  your  only  authority? 

(Answer.) 

(4)  Your  instruction  from  Him  who  holds 
all  authority  is  to  be  found  in  His  words  and 
in  those  by  His  chosen  apostles,  to  whom  He 
made  the  promise  that  the  Holy  Spirit  would 
bring  to  their  remembrance  all  things  which 
He  had  spoken,  and  would  guide  them  into  all 
truth.  These  teachings  are  to  be  found  in  the 
New  Testament  Scriptures.  Are  you  willing 
to  accept  these  writings  as  your  source  of  in- 
struction ? 

(Answer.) 

(5)  Your  constant  Helper  will  be  the  Holy 
Spirit,  whom  the  Lord  promised  should  be 
with  all  those  who  believe  on  Him — that  from 
within  them  should  flow  rivers  of  living  water. 
Tarry  until  you  be  clothed  with  this  power 

296 


FORMS 


from  on  high;  not  through  the  revelation  of 
new  truth,  not  in  the  gift  of  unknown  tongues, 
not  that  you  will  be  empowered  to  work  mira- 
cles, and  yet,  in  a  very  real  sense,  power  from 
on  high.  Will  you  look  to  this  divine  source 
for  strength  and  guidance? 
(Answer.) 

(6)  Is  it  your  fixed  purpose  to  give  your 
life  to  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ  ? 

(Answer.) 

(7)  Do  you  fully  understand  that  the  work 
which  you  now  assume  is  not  to  be  for  ease  or 
for  selfish  purpose? 

(Answer.) 

(8)  Is  it  to  be  your  prayer  that  you  may 
preach  to  the  world  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 
unmixed  with  human  philosophy  or  traditions 
of  men? 

(Answer.) 

(9)  Is  it  your  determined  purpose,  the  Lord 
being  your  helper,  to  study  with  diligence  the 
revelation  which  He  has  given  us  in  the  book 
which  we  call  the  Bible,  that  you  may  receive 
from  it  your  commission  and  instruction? 

(Answer.) 

(10)  Do  you  believe  yourself  to  be  willing, 
God  helping  you,  to  face  discouragements, 
difficulties,  oppositions  or  other  things  which 
may  seem  to  impede  your  work,  while  you  labor 

297 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


to  faithfully  preach  the  Word  of  the  living 
God  to  a  needy  world? 
(Answer.) 

Because  of  your  expressed  desire  to  devote 
your  entire  life  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word ; 
because  your  brethren  of  your  home  congrega- 
tion have  expressed  their  entire  confidence  in 
you  as  being  suited  to  this  sacred  service;  be- 
cause of  your  replies  to  the  questions  asked 
of  you ;  because  of  the  crying  need  for  conse- 
crated toilers  in  the  fields  already  white  unto 
harvest — I  take  pleasure  in  publicly  introduc- 
ing you  to  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ  and  to 
the  world  as  worthy  men  and  servants  of  our 
Lord  for  the  proclamation  of  His  gospel. 

May  you  never  be  swerved  by  the  entice- 
ments of  ease,  or  fame,  or  wealth,  or  worldly 
power,  from  these  blessed  vows  which  you  have 
taken.    You  will  please  kneel. 

(Placing  hands  on  the  heads  of  the  candi- 
dates, the  prayer  of  ordination  will  be  offered. 
Then  they  will  arise  end  the  entire  congrega- 
tion be  requested  to  stand  as  the  following  is 
given  in  unison,  as  indicated.) 

Elders — Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit, 
but  prove  the  spirits  whether  they  be  of  God. 

Congregation  and  Candidates — Hereby  know 
we  the  Spirit  of  God;  every  spirit  that  con- 
fesseth  that  Jesus  Christ  has  come  in  the  flesh 
is  of  God. 

298 


FORMS 


Elders — Humble  yourselves  under  the 
mighty  hand  of  God,  that  He  may  exalt  you  in 
due  season. 

Congregation  and  Candidates — Casting  all 
anxiety  upon  Him,  for  He  careth  for  us. 

Elders — Take  up  the  whole  armor  of  God 
that  you  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and,  hav'ng  done  all,  to  stand. 

Congregation  and  Candidates — May  we  be 
strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  His 
might. 

All  in  Concert — Unto  Him  who  is  able  to 
guard  us  from  stumbling,  and  to  set  us  before 
the  presence  of  His  glory,  without  blemish,  in 
exceeding  joy,  to  the  only  God  our  Saviour, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  be  glory, 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  before  all  time 
and  now  and  for  evermore.  Amen. 

(As  a  song  of  consecration  is  being  sung,  a 
number  of  selected  persons  should  give  to  the 
candidates  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  in 
behalf  of  the  congregation ;  if  preferred,  this 
may  be  done  by  the  entire  congregation.  As- 
signments for  different  parts  of  above — read- 
ings, prayer,  charge,  questions — may  be  made 
to  different  assistants,  as  desired.) 

Ordination  of  Elders,  Deacons,  Deaconesses 

(This  form  is  for  a  joint  ordination  of 
elders,  deacons  and  deaconesses.    If  but  one 
299 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


of  these  groups  is  to  be  ordained,  this  can 
easily  be  adjusted.) 

1.  An  Appropriate  Sermon  (with  candi- 
dates for  ordination  seated  immediately  in 
front  of  the  speaker;  the  elders  seated  in  the 
center  of  the  line). 

2.  Scripture  Reading  for  Elders  (1  Tim. 
3:1-7;  Tit.  1:5-9;  1  Pet.  5:1-4). 

3.  Charge  to  Candidates  for  Eldership  (can- 
didates standing). 

Brethren  (calling  name  of  each  elder), 
your  brethren  and  sisters  of  this  congregation 
have  manifested  their  confidence  in  you  as 
worthy  servants  of  the  Lord  and  of  His  church 
by  selecting  you  as  their  leaders  and  bishops. 
We  are  told  in  our  Bibles  that  the  Holy  Spirit 
selected  men  as  overseers  for  churches  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Let  us  hope  and  pray  that  you  may 
indeed  be  the  choice  of  the  Spirit  of  God  for 
this  holy  work.  You  are  not  to  "lord  it  over 
God's  heritage."  Remember  this  church  is 
God's  heritage,  not  yours.  You  are  officers 
only  in  the  sense  of  being  servants  of  the  Lord 
and  of  men.  The  truest  leader,  the  safest 
overseer,  is  the  one  who  serves  as  in  the  sight 
of  God.  Take  heed  unto  yourselves  first  of  all. 
You  are  to  be  in  the  limelight  of  public  inves- 
tigation. Unless  you  yourselves  are  true,  you 
can  not  lead  others  aright.  Take  heed  to  the 
flock.  Feed  the  church  of  the  Lord  which  He 
300 


FORMS 


hath  purchased  with  His  own  blood.  Remem- 
ber the  price  of  this  purchase — His  own  blood 
— and  count  not  your  task  as  a  trivial  thing. 
Grievous  wolves  may  enter  among  you,  not 
sparing  the  flock — men  arising  and  speaking 
perverse  things  that  they  may  draw  the  disci- 
ples after  themselves.  Watch  ye.  And  now 
we  commit  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  His 
grace  which  is  able  to  build  you  up  and  to  give 
the  inheritance  among  all  them  that  are  sanc- 
tified. Help  the  weak  and  remember  the  words 
of  our  Lord  when  He  said:  "It  is  more  blessed 
to  give  than  to  receive." 

Are  you,  each  answering  for  himself,  willing 
to  now  accept  the  sacred  trust  which  this 
church  has  committed  into  your  hands? 

(Answer.) 

Is  it  your  purpose  to  earnestly,  diligently 
and  prayerfully  seek  every  opportunity  to  dis- 
charge your  duties  as  elders  or  bishops  of  this 
congregation  to  the  best  of  your  ability  and 
opportunity  ? 

(Answer.) 

Do  you  fully  understand  that  the  office  of 
an  elder,  a  bishop  of  a  church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
is  not  to  lord  it  over  God's  children,  but  to 
help  to  lead  them  to  the  highest  plane  of 
Christian  piety  and  service? 

(Answer.) 

301 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Is  it  your  wish  and  purpose  to  constantly 
look  to  Him  who  giveth  liberally  and  up- 
braideth  not,  for  your  help  and  strength  and 
guidance  in  this  sacred  task  ? 

(Answer.) 

By  reason  of  the  action  of  this  congregation 
in  selecting  you;  because  of  your  satisfactory 
replies  to  the  questions  asked;  because  we  hope 
it  may  prove  to  be  true  that  you  have  indeed 
been  chosen  by  the  Holy  Spirit  for  this  task — 
in  the  name  of  this  congregation,  we  now  de- 
clare you  to  be  elders  of  (give  the  local  name 
of  the  congregation).  May  you  ever  seek  to  be 
true  to  the  work  and  to  the  people  and  to  the 
Lord,  and  may  you  have  strength  and  wisdom 
from  above.   You  will  please  kneel. 

(Placing  hands  on  the  heads  of  the  candi- 
dates, the  prayer  of  ordination  will  be  offered. 
They  will  then  be  asked  to  stand,  also  the 
entire  congregation,  and  the  following  will  be 
given  in  unison,  as  indicated.) 

Elders — Beloved,  believe  not  every  spirit, 
but  prove  the  spirits  whether  they  be  of  God. 

Congregation  and  Candidates — Hereby  know 
we  the  Spirit  of  God ;  every  spirit  that  con- 
fesseth  that  Jesus  Christ  has  come  in  the  flesh 
is  of  God. 

Elders — Humble  yourselves  under  the 
mighty  hand  of  God.  that  He  may  exalt  you  in 
due  season. 

302 


FORMS 


Congregation  and  Candidates — Casting  all 
anxiety  upon  Him,  for  He  careth  for  us. 

Elders — Take  up  the  whole  armor  of  God, 
that  you  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and,  having  done  all,  to  stand. 

Congregation  and  Candidates — May  we  be 
strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  His 
might. 

All  in  Concert — Unto  Him  who  is  able  to 
guard  us  from  stumbling,  and  to  set  us  before 
the  presence  of  His  glory,  without  blemish,  in 
exceeding  joy,  to  the  only  God  our  Saviour, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  be  glory, 
majesty,  dominion  and  power,  before  all  time 
and  now  and  for  evermore.  Amen. 

Will  you  (calling  names  of  newly  ordained 
elders)  please  take  your  places  with  us.  (Places 
should  be  previously  assigned  to  these,  on  the 
right  and  left  of  those  who  have  conducted 
their  ordination.  This  is  that  they  may  take 
part  in  the  ordination  of  the  deacons  and 
deaconesses.) 

4.  Scripture  Reading  (on  work  of  deacons 
and  deaconesses — 1  Tim.  3:8-11;  Acts  6:2-4). 

5.  Charge  to  Candidates  (candidates  stand- 
hag). 

Brothers  and  sisters  (calling  each  by  name), 
the  (give  name  of  local  congregation)  has 
chosen  you  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  deacons 
and  deaconesses.    Too  often  have  these  import- 

303 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


ant  offices  been  regarded  as  positions  without 
service,  by  those  upon  whom  the  work  has  been 
laid,  and  who  have  solemnly  promised  to  at- 
tempt a  faithful  discharge  of  the  same.  I 
solemnly  charge  you  that,  unless  you  purpose, 
by  the  help  of  God,  to  do  faithful  service,  you 
at  this  moment  step  aside  from  the  line  of 
chosen  men  and  women  rather  than  to  bring 
disrepute  upon  an  honored  position  in  the 
organized  work  of  the  Master's  church.  Your 
duties  can  not  be  specified  in  detail,  as  they 
will  vary  from  time  to  time,  but,  generally 
speaking,  you  are  to  take  oversight  of  all  tem- 
poral interests  of  the  congregation,  and  to 
provide  for  the  needy  and  distressed  within 
your  borders,  and  to  do  your  utmost  to  en- 
list the  full  and  hearty  co-operation  of  the 
entire  membership  of  the  congregation  in  these 
duties. 

In  view  of  these  opportunities  and  respon- 
sibilities, do  you,  each  for  himself  or  herself, 
promise  each  other,  the  congregation  and  your 
Lord,  to  faithfully  attempt  to  discharge  these 
duties  ? 

(Answer.) 

Because  of  your  selection  by  this  congre- 
gation, and  of  our  perfect  confidence  in  you  as 
faithful  disciples  of  our  Lord,  and  of  your 
replies  to  the  questions  asked  of  you,  I  take 
pleasure  in  announcing  that,  by  the  authority 
304 


FORMS 


of  this  congregation,  you  are  deacons  and 
deaconesses  of  the  (local  name  of  the  congre- 
gation). May  you  be  true;  may  you  look  to 
the  hills  for  your  strength;  may  you  prove 
your  worth  and  your  faith  in  service.  You 
will  please  kneel. 

(During  the  ordination  prayer,  hands  are 
to  be  placed  on  the  heads  of  the  candidates, 
the  newly  ordained  elders  taking  part  in  this.) 

6.  Ordination  Prayer. 

(After  ordination  prayer  and  as  the  entire 
congregation  stands,  the  following  is  to  be  re- 
peated in  unison.) 

To  Thee,  almighty  God,  our  Father,  we 
come  as  a  band  of  Thy  children,  imploring  Thy 
help  for  this  congregation,  for  these  who  have 
dedicated  themselves  to  special  service,  that 
all  of  us  together  may  strive  for  the  faith  and 
for  the  service  of  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ, 
Thy  Son  and  our  Lord.  Give  us  strength  and 
wisdom  and  patience  and  endurance  and 
courage  and  power,  we  pray  in  the  name  of 
Thy  Son.  Amen. 

In  the  name  of  (insert  name  of  local  con- 
gregation) we  now  extend  to  you,  as  deacons 
and  deaconesses,  the  hand  of  fellowship  and 
co-operation.  (All,  including  newly  ordained 
elders,  extend  to  deacons  and  deaconesses  the 
hand.) 

20  305 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Dedication  of  House  of  Worship 

1.  An  Appropriate  Sermon. 

2.  The  Dedication  Service  (the  congregation 
standing) . 

(There  should  be  two  suitable  persons  desig- 
nated as  leaders — Leader  No.  1  and  Leader 
No.  2.  These  should  be  persons  who  can,  in 
an  impressive  way,  take  the  parts  assigned  to 
them.  No  mistake  should  be  made  in  the 
selection.) 

Leader  No.  1 — Lord  God  of  Israel,  there  is 
no  God  like  Thee,  in  heaven  above  or  on  earth 
beneath,  who  keepeth  covenant  and  mercy  with 
Thy  servants  who  walk  before  Thee  with  all 
their  hearts. 

Congregation — He  is  our  God,  our  King 
and  our  Redeemer. 

Leader  No.  2 — Behold,  the  heaven  of 
heavens  can  not  contain  Thee;  how  much  less 
this  house  which  we  have  builded. 

Congregation — Our  God  is  great.  His  glory 
covers  the  whole  earth. 

Leader  No.  1 — When  Thy  people  shall  sin 
and  turn  again  to  Thee,  and  confess  Thy  name 
and  pray  in  this  house,  0  Lord,  hear  Thou  in 
heaven. 

Congregation — And  forgive  us  freely.  This 
we  ask  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  Thy  Son 
and  our  Lord. 

306 


FORMS 


Leader  No.  2 — When  great  sorrow  shall 
afflict  Thy  people,  if  they  turn  to  Thee,  hear 
Thou  their  prayer,  0  God. 

Congregation — And  to  Thee  will  we  ascribe 
all  praise  and  glory. 

Leader  No.  1 — The  supplication  made  by 
any  one  who  shall  know  the  plague  of  his  own 
heart,  and  who  shall  lift  his  voice  in  this  house, 
wilt  Thou  hear  in  heaven,  Thy  dwelling-place, 
and  give  to  every  one  according  to  his  heart, 
0  Lord. 

Congregation — Help  us  to  know  our  hearts, 
our  God. 

Both  Leaders  in  unison — May  the  Lord  our 
God  be  with  us ;  may  He  not  leave  us  nor 
forsake  us ;  may  He  incline  our  hearts  unto 
Him  that  we  may  walk  in  His  ways,  and  keep 
His  commandments  and  obey  His  statutes. 

Congregation — And  may  all  the  people  of 
earth  know  that  our  Lord  is  God,  and  that 
there  is  none  other. 

Both  Leaders  in  unison — Amen  and  Amen. 

All  in  concert,  with  bowed  heads — "With 
gratitude  and  thanksgiving  for  Thy  bounties,  in 
faith  and  with  love,  we,  Thy  people,  dedicate 
this  house  to  Thy  service  and  worship,  0  Lord 
of  heaven  and  of  earth.  Help  us  also  to  dedi- 
cate ourselves  to  Thee,  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
our  Saviour.  Amen. 

(All  remain  standing.) 

307 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


3.  Dedicatory  Prayer. 

4.  Dedicatory  Sang. 

Dedication  of  Building  for  Christian  Edu- 
cation 

(This  was  used  in  the  dedication  of  Brite 
College  of  the  Bible,  Texas  Christian  Univer- 
sity, Fort  Worth,  Texas.) 

1.  An  Appropriate  Address. 

2.  The  Dedicatory  Service  (as  all  stand  and 
so  remain  throughout  the  service).  Brief 
statement  concerning  purpose  of  the  service  by 
the  president. 

The  President— What  should  be  our  chief 
question  as  we  serve  in  this  building? 

Trustees  and  Faculty — Lord,  to  whom  shall 
we  go?    Thou  hast  the  words  of  eternal  life. 

Congregation — Amen. 

A  Member  of  Faculty — What  seed  should 
be  planted  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of  our 
students  ? 

Trustees  and  Congregation— The  seed  is  the 
word  of  God. 

A  Member  of  Faculty — What  should  be  our 
attitude  toward  this  Word  as  we  teach  it? 

Trustees  and  Congregation — Let  the  Word 
of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly. 

A  Member  of  Faculty — Are  words  which 
were  uttered  centuries  ago  to  be  counted  as  of 
authority  to-day? 

308 


FORMS 


Trustees  and  Congregation — Heaven  and 
earth  shall  pass  away,  but  His  words  shall 
never  pass  away. 

A  Member  of  Faculty — Can  not  the  cul- 
tured and  wise  prophets  of  later  centuries 
speak  words  of  authority  equal  to  that  of  the 
Man  of  Galilee? 

Trustees  and  Congregation — Never  man 
spake  like  this  man. 

Faculty — Your  words  have  been  fitly  chosen. 
They  are  like  apples  of  gold  in  networks  of 
silver. 

President — Into  our  hands,  as  instructors, 
is  being  entrusted  that  of  which  the  value  is 
far  above  rubies.  Young  men  and  women 
taught  here  will  go  from  us  to  teach  others 
also.  Our  work  will  be  reproduced  and  multi- 
plied. In  the  face  of  this,  what  shall  we  of 
the  Faculty  attempt  to  teach? 

A  Member  of  Faculty — While  we  are  to  in- 
spire our  students  to  reach  for  the  richest 
scholarship  possible  to  them,  to  open  their 
minds  to  truth  from  whatever  source  it  may 
come,  and  to  be  tolerant  to  all,  we  are  to  recog- 
nize, as  supreme  above  all  else,  the  words  of 
Him  who  said:  "All  authority  hath  been  given 
unto  me  in  heaven  and  on  earth  ;  go  ye,  there- 
fore, and  make  disciples  of  all  the  nations, 
teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 

309 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


I  commanded  you;  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  al- 
ways, even  to  the  end  of  the  world." 

President — In  what  spirit  shall  we  teach 
His  word? 

A  Member  of  Faculty — If  we  speak  in  the 
tongues  of  men  and  of  angels,  but  have  not 
love,  we  are  become  sounding  brass  or  clanging 
cymbal ;  if  we  have  the  gift  of  prophecy  and 
know  all  mysteries  and  all  knowledge,  but  have 
not  love,  we  are  nothing. 

President — If  difficulties  confront  us,  and 
wild  beasts  beset  our  pathway,  and  adversity 
threaten  to  destroy;  if  we  are  misunderstood 
and  misrepresented ;  if  friends  grow  cold  and 
forsake  us — what  shall  we  do? 

A  Member  of  Faculty — May  we  not  seek  to 
emulate  him  who,  at  the  close  of  a  life  of  faith, 
could  write:  "I  have  fought  the  good  fight;  I 
have  finished  the  course ;  I  have  kept  the  faith ; 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  the  crown 
of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day,  and  not  to 
me  only,  but  also  to  all  them  that  have  loved 
His  appearing"? 

Congregation — May  the  God  of  all  grace 
ever  remain  with  these,  our  brethren;  may  His 
love  o'ershadow  them,  and  His  Holy  Spirit 
direct  them;  and  may  they  be  able  to  rejoice 
in  the  victory  of  their  faith.  May  we,  as  their 
brethren,  stand  loyally  beside  them.  When 

310 


FORMS 


war  shall  rage  in  Rephidim,  or  when  Amalek 
shall  oppose,  may  we  be  found  standing  on 
that  side  and  on  this,  keeping  their  hands 
steady  until  the  going  down  of  the  sun. 

All  in  unison — Almighty  God,  with  grati- 
tude and  thanksgiving,  in  faith  and  love,  we, 
Thy  people,  now  dedicate  this  house  to  Thee. 
We  pray  for  strength  and  courage  and  wisdom 
and  the  spirit  of  love,  that  we  may  be  diligent 
and  loyal  in  the  opportunity  to  equip  men  and 
women  for  labor  in  Thy  service.  We  hope- 
fully ask  this  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 

3.  Prayer  of  Dedication. 

4.  Song  of  Thanksgiving. 

Laying  Corner-stone  of  Church  Building 

(This  form  was  used  in  laying  of  corner- 
stone of  First  Christian  Church  of  Fort  Worth.) 

PROGRAM. 

1.  Hymn  (congregation  singing  "How  Firm 
a  Foundation"). 

2.  Scripture  Lesson  (1  Cor.  3:10-17). 

3.  Prayer. 

4.  Brief  Address  ("Team  Work"). 

5.  Brief  Address  ("Consecration"). 

6.  Responsive  Reading. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Brothers  and  sisters, 
we  have  just  laid  the  foundation  for  a  building 
which  we  hope  soon  to  dedicate  to  the  service 

311 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


and  worship  of  God.  To-day  we  are  to  lay  its 
corner-stone.  Eight  little  children  will  render 
this  service.  How  appropriate  when  we  remem- 
ber that  our  Lord  said,  "Of  such  is  the  king- 
dom of  heaven." 

"While  the  building  will  be  nearing  comple- 
tion, may  we  remember  that  the  material  house 
can  only  be  a  means  which  children  of  God 
can  use  for  service ;  that  the  real  temple  of 
God  is  the  child  of  God.  In  him  dwells  the 
Holy  Spirit.  In  him  is  the  light  which  must 
scatter  darkness.  He  is  the  power-house  of 
God  on  earth.  It  was  to  human  beings — disci- 
ples of  Christ — to  whom  the  Master  spoke  when 
He  said,  referring  to  His  own  wonderful  works, 
"Greater  works  than  these  shall  ye  do;" 
greater  work  than  giving  sight  to  the  blind, 
causing  the  lame  to  leap,  cleansing  the  leper 
and  raising  the  dead.  Greater  work  than  these 
is  done  when  the  church  of  God.  with  the 
power  of  Christ,  moves  through  a  sin-cursed 
world,  opening  the  eyes  of  men  that  they  may 
turn  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  may  re- 
ceive remission  of  sins,  and  an  inheritance 
among  them  who  are  sanctified  through  faith 
in  the  Redeemer  of  the  world. 

Elders  and  deacons  and  deaconesses  of  the 
(insert  name  of  the  congregation),  why  have 
you  called  us  together  to-day? 

312 


FORMS 


Elders  and  Deacons  and  Deaconesses — That 
we  may  lay  the  corner-stone  of  a  house  later 
to  be  dedicated  to  the  worship  and  service  of 
our  God. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Does  this  corner- 
stone signify  to  you  more  than  the  stone  which 
we  see? 

Elders  and  Deacons  and  Deaconesses — Yes. 
And  yet  it  is  but  a  faint  symbol  of  the  true 
Corner-stone. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — What  do  you  mean 
by  "the  true  Corner-stone"? 

Elders  and  Deacons  and  Deaconesses — The 
true  Foundation  and  the  true  Corner-stone  are 
one.  "Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than 
that  which  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.  .  .  . 
Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner- 
stone. ' ' 

Master  of  Ceremonies — This  house  will 
furnish  an  equipment  for  what  has  come  to  be 
known  as  "A  Workshop." 

Officers  and  teachers  of  the  Bible  school, 
what  are  your  plans? 

Officers  and  Teachers  of  Bible  School — Our 
hope  is  to  become  more  efficient  in  teaching 
the  Word  of  God  to  others.  To  this  end  may 
we  all  strive  and  pray. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Pupils  of  the  Bible 
school,  what  of  you? 

313 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Bible-sehool  Pupils — May  our  instructors  so 
effectively  bring  the  message  of  divine  truth  to 
us  that  we.  in  turn,  may  be  able  to  teach 
others  also. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Fathers  and  mothers, 
may  the  church  expect  your  co-operation  in  the 
work  planued  to  be  done  here? 

Fathers  and  Mothers — Our  sons  and  daugh- 
ters are  precious  heritages  given  unto  us  in 
trust.  May  God  help  us  to  rise  to  our  oppor- 
tunities. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — Young  men  and 
young  ladies,  these  older  ones  will  soon  pass 
from  the  scene  of  opportunity ;  some  of  these 
will  go  with  barrenness  of  life.  Into  your 
hands  is  already  being  placed  the  responsibility 
of  to-morrow.  Will  you  try  to  be  worthy 
of  the  same? 

Young  Men  and  Young  "Women — May  God 
help  us  to  do  so. 

Master  of  Ceremonies — The  proper  persons 
will  now  place  in  the  stone  the  articles  selected 
for  this  purpose. 

(Here,  have  those  selected  for  the  purpose 
place  in  the  corner-stone  such  things  as  may 
be  chosen.) 

Master  of  Ceremonies — The  corner-stone 
will  now  be  laid. 

(Previously,  the  stone  must  have  been  ar- 
ranged so  that  it  may  be  moved  by  levers  and 

314 


FORMS 


placed  in  its  proper  place.  While  it  is  being 
lifted,  the  children  chosen  for  the  purpose  will 
place  their  hands  upon  it,  moving  it  to  its  de- 
pository. As  they  do  this,  they  will  speak  the 
words  next  given.) 

Eight  Children — With  our  small  hands,  we 
now  lay  the  corner-stone  of  this  house  of  God. 
May  we  be  as  firm  in  our  faith  as  it  will  be 
in  its  service. 

7.  Closing  Prayer. 


315 


CHARLES  W.  GIBSON 

(Mr.  Gibson  died  after  the  matter  for  this 
volume  was  in  print.) 

THE  list  of  "Our  Remembered  Dead"  in- 
cluded only  the  names  of  preachers,  but, 
for  many  reasons,  the  rule  is  departed  from 
here.  Personally,  I  never  had  a  more  intimate 
nor  a  more  genuine  friend.  When  I  first  went 
to  Waxahachie,  in  1879,  I  met  Charles  W.  Gib- 
son for  the  first  time.  He  was  not  a  man  who 
formed  intimacies  quickly ;  always  kind  and 
courteous,  but  making  close  friendships  slowly. 
At  that  time,  no  member  of  the  Gibson  family 
in  Waxahachie  was  a  member  of  the  church. 
His  wife  and  other  members  of  the  home  circle 
preceded  Mr.  Gibson  there. 

In  1888  a  child  was  laid  low,  and,  for  weeks, 
a  beautiful  little  life  hung  in  the  balance.  At 
this  bedside  I  first  felt  that  "Charlie"  Gibson 
and  I  were,  in  reality,  becoming  friends.  The 
little  life  faded  away,  and  I  stood  with  the 
bereaved  ones  in  their  time  of  Gethsemane. 
Three  months  later,  in  a  meeting  held  with 
"home  forces,"  Mr.  Gibson  responded  to  the 
invitation,  and  a  life  of  large  and  glorious 
317 


DISCIPLES  OF  CHRIST  IN  TEXAS 


Christian  service  was  begun.  In  a  few  years 
he  became  a  deacon,  and,  later,  an  elder  in 
the  "Waxahaehie  Church.  Never  did  a  pastor 
have  a  more  royal  nor  more  loyal  support  than 
he  always  rendered.  It  is  not  putting  other 
worthy  persons  into  the  discard  to  say  that  for 
thirty  years  he  was  among  the  very  chiefest 
of  the  local  congregation.  As  trustee  of  Texas 
Christian  University  for  twenty-one  years 
(1899  to  his  death),  he  was  one  of.  and  a  leader 
among,  the  veiy  few  who.  more  than  once,  saved 
the  life  of  the  institution.  As  trustee  of  Brite 
College  of  the  Bible  from  the  day  of  its  birth, 
member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Texas 
Christian  Missionary  Convention,  director  of 
Christian  Courier,  he  was  always  at  his  post — 
not  merely  to  answer  "Present""  when  the  roll 
was  called,  but  as  a  mighty  factor  in  each  of 
these  enterprises. 

He  was  among  the  choicest  of  friends.  This 
was  made  manifest  in  days  when  true  friends 
were  needed.  More  than  this,  he  was  a  true 
disciple  of  his  Lord.  Never  presumptuous,  he 
was  always  useful. 

"When  we  lowered  his  body  into  the  tomb. 
I  felt  as  if  a  part  of  myself  went  with  him  to 
the  other  side,  and  that  a  part  of  him  remained 
with  me.  To-day  T  rejoice  in  the  confidence 
that  this  was  more  than  a  transient  feeling; 
that  it  was.  and  is.  a  blessed  reality. 

318 


CHARLES  W.  GIBSON 


He  and  I  began  the  earth  life  in  the  same 
year  of  our  Lord,  though  more  than  a  thousand 
miles  apart.  He  has  preceded  me  into  the  Over 
Yonder,  but  we  shall  meet  again.  For  the  in- 
tervening time,  my  friend,  my  brother,  farewell. 


319 


Date  Due 

